The product, and how it is presented, may be part of the issue. I have another hobby - Amateur Radio (Ham). It is very technical. Esoteric antenna design, complex signal processing, etc. It is quite geeky with social overtones. Since I was in High School I ENJOYED, and continue to LOOK FORWARD to, getting catalogs describing the latest radios, antennas, operating techniques, etc. It was fun and a valuable learning experience. I used that experience to engage in a long career in the computer industry. Today I continue to enjoy, and look with anticipation, for information on the latest stuff. I love those adverts.
Now, the Trainz series is a different animal. Very little technical technical knowledge is needed. No Federal Communications license is needed. There is no monthly magazine and catalogs are online. There is little technical challenge since everything is virtual and can be created, or destroyed, at the whim of the customer. You can touch nothing. The most obvious technical involvement is in scripting and artistry. A very small percentage of the customer base is involved in creation and/or modification. Another way of looking at it is that they have little "skin in the game" beyond their initial purchase. So most alter existing routes, build their own, or just ride the rails.
So, where is the excitement in seeing the high percentage of commercial propaganda in a newsletter. Similar propaganda in more engaging hobbies is eagerly anticipated. Here it is simply ignored, or rejected as clutter.
There was a fork in the N3V road when they decided to re-purpose and re-label their product as a game rather than a simulator. The potential customer base was significantly larger and there was a base of experts to guide the gamers into ever higher scoring opportunities. What they have to now balance is that a game is a throw-away product to be easily replaced with hundreds of other gaming challenges. The customer has to learn the rules of the road and how to operate a train. Once they do that the scores increase. Or, they find it boring and without violence. Thus they move on. The adverts we see, in quality and content, are aimed at retaining these customers and engaging new purchasers.
So, although unknown, N3V must be making some money since the staff is there and new functions and features are appearing. The newsletter is an affordable way to advertise. However, I would suggest some technical column that deals with the some how to of running a railroad. Not just running a train. The number of sleeping and texting accidents testify to that as a boring experience in real-life. What are the rules and norms of railroading. Instead of scoring your braking ability, score how you run a railroad. Just basic stuff not an expose of how smart the author is. The idea is to get a more intimate participation amongst the customers - skin in the game. Everyone understands the logic of making and loosing money. Integrate it into the experience and discuss it in the NEWSletter.
So now I have to get back to researching antennas that I can disguise to pass the scrutiny of the Home Owners Association. My new all digital, software based transceiver, needs one of those. Where did I put the catalog......