How about we get some clear data on what really happens in the area through the days.
Make a trend chart that samples arena numbers every 15 minutes throughtout the day.
Run that chart for a week and then post it on the BBS here. Let the players see when the numbers are high and low, etc.
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Also, change gameplay focus to something other than base capture and arena reset, and I really think that the horde mentality will go away.
Either that, or make the "timer" based on individual player performance, not just the numbers in the country.