Currently, new features are announced via twitter - or often, through player discovery, or the forum. A lot of times for the few REAL LIFE days after a new feature comes out, people are asking "What's going on?" We really need a better way than twitter and the forum for features to be announced. A LOT of people only come to the forums when directed by a link. Or not at all. You should be able to access this information IN game.
I propose a "god" (ie. giant) like announcement that appears before you log in (perhaps on the loading screen or one you have to actually click OK! Thanks! before completely loading - like a level up screen or badge) with features that have been added since your last login.
Or - a newsletter in your mailbox that you can read of new features.
For example: the new herb garden plot lock. An announcement that Zilloween has begun and what that means. Gems stack! Known bug issues, etc.
What do ya'll think?