This game is on a terrible state right now.

[SturmChurro]

The Problem is, that they have no other place to go! Most regular Gamers, no matter what their preference is, have a myriad of alternatives to pick from, at this point.

But which game would you recommend them for E-Dating/ERP?

Also, i am wondering how the overall retention and engagement Metrics for the game would look like, if you took all the heavy socializing and Fake-RP away. Most likely a lot worse...

Well, the thing with FFXIV is that it has somehow fostered a community with a certain number of people who believe their characters to be them, not to mention that they.. like the character models and characters of this game to an unhealthy degree. I don't necessarily think it's because there aren't alternatives, it's because they have these attachments to this game and it being largely accepted. It was always a problem, but definitely has blown up since - apparently - Covid. Not to mention, people are now making money, and winning popularity contests with their mods. Due to SE not cracking down on it early, and seemingly embracing it, according to some, it has only exploded in popularity.

The fact that there are alternatives, or they would simply make their own alternatives, is why that retention would go down. It's an unfortunate demographic to be catering to, or rather no need to cater to, as simply not cracking down on venues or banning players is enough. If they can keep relatively high retention, and not have to add much to the game, while simply leaving the servers open for these players, that is a win-win for them.