I think the idea of 'small players' and 'new players' is probably worthy of more in depth analysis, it really depends on how creative you get, the focus on only SIM as the profits of the game limits the playable choices. I published this set up more than 8 months ago, which costs less than 9 hive to set up right now and mines me a citizen card in more than 95% of days:
It's not about the facts, but the psychology.
A profit-driven/or determined person will find a way to make even that 9 HIVE investment stretch.
A hobbyist, on the other hand, will just turn elsewhere.