I have not played this game so I do not know if this would be possible or even helpful. However, from what I am seeing here on the website is, this game needs to be managed all the time to win.

So I think it would it be helpful if the game emailed the player with a list of tasks they need to do.

For example, a list of to do stuff that is vital to running your empire or whatever the player thinks is important. So when a player has time they can carryout these tasks when they want to play the game. This would also add to the game involvement away from the game.