https://steamdb.info/app/289130/graphs/ Looks like it bottomed out ~288 before the free weekend/sale. But tbh I'm not sure this game has had too many sales before, and 50% off isn't that high so there'll be even better sales to inject players a year from now so I wouldn't worry too much.
As for your problem: finding a multiplayer game. You might have to post in the ~~group chat/~~forums to let people know you're trying to get a game going, but there are plenty of people so I don't think it should be too hard.
(looks like the group chat is empty actually. Try the Amplitude Forums too: http://forums.amplitude-studios.com/forumdisplay.php?30-Endless-Legend)
http://isthereanydeal.com/#/search:endless%20legend;/scroll:%23gamelist
Lowest reported price for Emperor pack was 22.49, and it looks like you can get it for $35 at greenmangaming. I haven't purchased from any of the foreign sites, so I'm not sure how annoying foreign transaction fees, if any, get.
The patch notes list a few Let's Plays. I've no idea on the quality or quantity of videos for each of them, but if Amplitude thinks they're good enough to list then they should be a decent watch.
As for streamers, I don't know any that are regular. I guess your best option there is to watch whoever is streaming at the time. If you like them, follow them so you know when they go live.
The only way to disable it as far as I know is to play in a borderless window.
I use Borderless Gaming.
It still edge scrolls on the research screen but I can live with that.
http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i7559-763BLK-Full-HD-GeForce/dp/B015PYYDMQ Yeah that's the same laptop i have, love it. Actually spilt some coke on the keyboard like a moron and had to buy a new keyboard but works flawlessly. Did you ever install a second harddrive and more ram?