FFXIV: The State Of Raiding

[Thayos]

Yet it was filled and gave people something to do. I stepped on it on release but looking back now that its gone I want it back.

You mean it was spammed for drops by the raid community and abandoned by everyone else within two weeks.

Also, it wasn't endgame. It was just a big open area where you zerged things for drops -- basically a giant, ongoing FATE with drops. Zero strategy, zero long-term objectives, zero reasons to work toward any goals as a FC, zero things to need to learn (other than finding Dino Island), zero sense of accomplishment, zero things to even really accomplish.

Long term, Diadem's only real use was for gathering.

Seriously, what a waste.

If anything, the complete failure of the Diadem is proof that the "casuals" are more than just facerolling one-button pushers. Most casual/midcore players are simply yesterday's hardcore players who are now busier and have less time. Casual/midcore players deserve content that's engaging, not the brainless pile of scrap we got in the Diadem.

But maybe the Diadem was never meant to be endgame? As I said above, I honestly can't tell you. No clue what SE was thinking. It's like trying to find meaning from a 2-year-old's finger painting.