Huge possibility to consider your opinion as a valid one in the given situation because 6x6 size 36 squares of eco sanctum gives 30 random units whereas 36 level 2 golden gong will give 36 fast units of next age (6 units higher) and 36 x 4 fp = 144 fps, just one fp shortage with eco sanctum from final age in the game. Still other boost didn't even need to be compared, since golden gong level 2 stands out as clinically the most efficient 1x1 size building that too now without road connection. Definitely they might have thought about this and used the login issue as a cover up like you said. Nerfing is fit to their regular work style habit and just mentioning login issue was the mistake.
Above comparison with level 2 gong, if we consider Ascended gong then eco sanctum is big fat building. Only exception is 36 vs 1 self aid kit usage difference, that too if mass aid kit comes into the picture then eco sanctum cannot get the pride in live server.
Clearly main event building getting defeated by 1x1 size building from past event is something new to witness. Live server players didn't get the chance to witness it, because the nerf changes are already taken place.
But I might have planned the nerf in different ways. Not sure how many will like the following nerf on the golden gong which I envisioned,
(Only fp and army unit references here, remaining are same as current nerf)
Golden gong level 1 (no timer)
- 1 fp with motivation
- 1 fragment for ascended golden gong when motivated
- no road connection required
Golden gong level 2 (active - 10 days)
- 4 fp with motivation
- 3 fragments for ascended golden gong when motivated
- no road connection required
"30/30 fragments for one full set"
Ascended golden gong (no timer but limited collections of maximum 15 times only)
- 8 fp with motivation
- 2 next age fast unit when motivated
- no road connection required
( Once limited collections are maxed out, building only refers to battle boost and nothing will be collected from it )
Also, if nerfing to be planned for care event without doing any nerf on the summer event golden gongs, simple design adjustment change in the care event main building 6x6 size too 5x6 size to make it much effective building. But the development team went other way around to make the players suffers that too after collecting the profit from it.
