The Formula won't change

[Turtledeluxe]

Umm...the logic holds up entirely. Yes, a game that is releasing new content is by definition not in "maintenance mode." It's not a "what I want to call it" vs. "what you want to call it." It's what the phrase means for MMO's - a game in "maintenance mode" has reached its final/finished state. No new content is being developed for it, no remaining bugs are being fixed, etc.. All that's happening is the servers remain up for people to play, and repeatable events (e.g. annual/seasonal events) may continue to run. But no new events or content of any sort is being created. The fact that the formula is still being followed with dozens of hours of new content being produced objectively means the game is nowhere near "maintenance mode" (and calling a complete new expansion with a full agenda of patch content over the next several years the "bare minimum" is rather insulting toward the developers, no?).

Yes, that is the traditional use of the word. Hence why I am pointing out, I don't think that is what OP is actually arguing despite invoking the term. The statement you quoted flatly says the game has up to 3 expansions to live. Essentially what I'm saying is you're telling them their thoughts don't matter because of semantics. Which isn't useful imo because the post itself is about the formula not changing, on which you and OP seemingly agree.

As far as the MSQ being the bare minimum, yes I do think about that DT. I was moreso talking ahout the patch cycle there and the way they stagger updates, but the MSQ didn't exactly light the world on fire with story or gameplay.

The game isn’t in maintenance mode. The greatest overarching problem with the game that ties pretty much all our criticisms about content cadence, job design, balance and thematic direction of the MSQ is that simply the devs are too slow to pivot on anything and the slow cadence that seems out of line with the feedback offered makes people tired and frustrated because content coming out that doesn’t align with what people want to paying customers that feels the same as getting no content

True. I think it all goes in a circle ultimately where players can only speculate SE is not re investing back into the game. As far as pivoting based on feedback, there's a lack of transparency as to where the feedback is even coming from or what it's based on. Instead of throwing players under the bus, I'd rather know how many players interacted with Eureka and got their relic etc. I'd like to see it updated to smooth out well agreed upon friction is the content. As far as jobs, it's a long and entangled issue, but it's precisely the same. The devs sort of blamed players for VPR updates but then came around and said it was their plan regardless. So is it really players changing jobs?