What happened to the 8 years of data and market analysis?

[Fieros]

there are many definitions of "casuals gamer", and in japan a casual gamer is not necessarily someone that wants an easy game, but simply someone that doesn't have much time to play.
In Japan the monster hunter series (for instance) is considered a casual-friendly series.

That said, one of the biggest problems with FFXIV is that the target userbase wasn't identified clearly enough. There's something for casuals, something that appeals hardcore, something that appeals sandbox lovers... the problem is that all those "somethings" by themselves aren't enough to satisfy fully any of those audiences.
As I stated, trying to make everyone happy will end in big problems basically in every market. It's one of the most widespread and problematic marketing fallacies there are.

SE should have focused on pleasing a more limited customerbase, but pleasing them fully. After that, you can work on spreading your target further by building on the solid base you already have.

Agreed.

PS: Its nice to read something from you written from a more neutral perspective.

[Abriael]

Agreed.

PS: Its nice to read something from you written from a more neutral perspective.

I always write from a neutral perspective, and most of the time from related experience.

That doesn't mean that you're going to like it.