Originally Posted by
IDontPetLalas
No, the only metric being "engagement metrics" is an oversimplification. That is not the "rule of MMOs". If it was that simple, then you could have drag any virtually anyone off the street and -voila- here is how your game is doing, this is precisely what needs to be done in order to make more money, and keep doing more money, for the amount of time that the company wants to make money.
People in "marketing" (and technically- I work in the Marketing division) routinely get feedback from different segments and their interests have to be reviewed and balanced - however that doesn't mean that each segment needs to be weighted equally. Square could decide (for example) that casuals are >>> the very hardcore if that fits their business model . It would then be more helpful if instead of promising they will do it "one day"- they explain that going forwards, the game direction will be more casual/mid- this way the very hardcore aren't misled.