Maps can sometimes get stuck on the server, more common for custom maps since people run in an out of them a lot more and never really hold players online constantly. But on rare occasions, even default maps in the game can get this issue, but if it works for others, you are having some issues alone.
In the majority of the times "Failed to connect to map server" means that the map process is stuck or the map is down. In some cases it can also be connectivity issues between you and the server but it shouldn't last. The server is holding up well load wise I believe, it's just how the game is actually built and function.
Of course there's good and bad things with the population growing inside of the game, but we should really be happy for all the players wanting to play the game with us, as long as they behave of course. Growth to the game is not only the number and people online, but content made, ideas shared and maybe even new goals reached.
But that is me being positive of course.
