Random observation

[Reap00]

There are players who are content with things being released that aren’t equivalent to previously held standards in both WoW and other games.

Island sanctuary being one of them, among other controversies.

Island sanctuary is precisely what was advertised. Your expectations don't factor into the equation at all.

[Saraide]

Island sanctuary is precisely what was advertised. Your expectations don't factor into the equation at all.

What was it advertised as? For a lot of time between the first announcement and the release the only info I could find were a few examples of what not to expect. SE stands to directly profit (short term atleast) from hype prior to the expansion launch, this should mean that they have a larger responsibility to try to keep expectations accurate. Instead it seems to me they left that hype train to its own device. Therefore I think it's also their fault that people are disappointed in IS.

[Deveryn]

What was it advertised as? For a lot of time between the first announcement and the release the only info I could find were a few examples of what not to expect. SE stands to directly profit (short term atleast) from hype prior to the expansion launch, this should mean that they have a larger responsibility to try to keep expectations accurate. Instead it seems to me they left that hype train to its own device. Therefore I think it's also their fault that people are disappointed in IS.

The hype existed where it needed to for the expansion and this wasn't something that needed any hype. Since the fanfest last year, they made it clear that this was going to be super casual laid back content.

"Live the slow life."
"Place buildings, raise crops and take care of animals."
I got all I needed to know from those two sentences.

Any kind of "hype" would've been overkill. They told people what not to expect because they were absolutely misreading it and creating their own fantasy and hype. Players dug their own pit on that one.

[LittleImp]

Island sanctuary is precisely what was advertised. Your expectations don't factor into the equation at all.

This post is just such a piece of nonsense. Island Sanctuary was one of the least explained features they've ever rolled out. It was pretty much kept a complete mystery what it would entail until it actually launched, and then it was revealed to be hours of node clicking that somehow has less depth than open world gathering.

Where are all these people that love island sanctuary, outside of the forums? I don't know anyone in-game that actually thinks it's a good piece of content.

[Cithaerias_pyropina]

Island sanctuary is precisely what was advertised. Your expectations don't factor into the equation at all.

Huh, Island Sanctuary was advertised as a mammet sweatshop? I could have sworn it was advertised as a cozy place where you could raise animals and crops, guess I was wrong.

[NekoMataMata]

Island sanctuary is precisely what was advertised. Your expectations don't factor into the equation at all.

Not even true.

I mean sure, it's not alternative housing like many people expected but... it's anything but casual like it was advertised.

You start off grinding island resources and end off having to spreadsheet out profits for your workshop.

[Jojoya]

Not even true.

I mean sure, it's not alternative housing like many people expected but... it's anything but casual like it was advertised.

You start off grinding island resources and end off having to spreadsheet out profits for your workshop.

Except you don't have to do grind resources hardcore. You can just gather a little here and a little there as you want then build when you get enough.

You don't have to resort to spreadsheets to earn cowries from the workshop. You can make what you want and you'll still earn cowries.

You might have chosen to do those things but it's not a requirement that the content be played that way.

The content is very casual if you play it casually.