How to skyrocket the playercount and get this game out of financial downward spiral

[Deantwo]

Sure it is a successful business plan for sone.
I am however not sure rather Haxus would be able to or want to do it like that.

possibly with buyable cosmetics/whatever, as long as it doesn't affect the gameplay whatsoever.

I like how you seem to assume this is super easy.
Name some games that has successfully done this early on without a budget or a full team of developers.