It didn't have 20k players, but beyond a certain point "scale" doesn't change much (most of the kinds of phenomena referred to in EVE occurred in Cluster II -- I know of no cases of real world crimes being perpetrated for in-game advantage though).
Who said anything about email? This was play by mail. Each turn comprised getting a combination state-of-your-holdings/order-form on computer fanfold, filling in and tearing off the order section, and sending it back. Some aspects needed to be handle out-of-band (e.g. if you designed new warships I believe they were verified legal manually -- one of my friends was given free play in exchange for verifying ship designs -- and then entered into the system).
Who said anything about email? This was play by mail. Each turn comprised getting a combination state-of-your-holdings/order-form on computer fanfold, filling in and tearing off the order section, and sending it back. Some aspects needed to be handle out-of-band (e.g. if you designed new warships I believe they were verified legal manually -- one of my friends was given free play in exchange for verifying ship designs -- and then entered into the system).