FF14 player count reached the lowest point in 4 years. We lost 75% of the playerbase.

[Nadda]

You know what doesn't help? Maelstrom negativity.

For one using Steam Charts for the game isn't an accurate bellwether but besides that.
FF14 became popular and we received a lot of WoWfugees during the pandemic.
We were going to lose them eventually.

But I digress back to Maelstrom Negativity. Constantly dwelling on what’s wrong fails in achieving good results - because once the complaints are known, complaining about it more doesn't change anything.
You stop being constructive in critique and you start forming a tumor in your own community that kills off all enjoyment of the game in good faith. Listen to some of these comments, oozing in bad faith.

When I joined FF14 I didn't have any expectations for it because it was a game that died and came back. I remembered playing 1.0 and thinking it was quite dull and that Ul'dah would melt my computer.... and half the quests were in ul'dah

This game wasn't just saved by the devs but by the people who remained and believed it could be successful.

We’re going to lose some people along the way—that’s the nature of any long-running game. But clinging to negativity doesn’t help anyone.
I’m not here just for the good times; I’m here because I believe FF14 can always improve. And from ARR to Dawntrail it hasn't been sunshine and roses.
It’s not a bad game (DT) even now the frustration comes from FF14 not living to its full potential —FF14 still has room to grow. And sometimes, growth requires struggle.

If FF14 needs to fail a bit to get better I'm here for it because all Pheonix's are reborn from the ashes. Those with little faith and lesser fire won't be. I'll be here shielding the last spark from going out.