I think test realms would go a long way in terms of bridging the gap with some features - particularly the graphics updates. There are threads in multiple languages detailing issues they have with the current character models in detail. The devs made a post about how they were going to try and fix that months ago and tomorrow is the first time any players will get to see what they mean. If there was a test realm, people could log in as their characters and report issues as they experience them. Devs could try fixes and get immediate feedback rather than all this piecemeal stuff. The point about Island Sanctuary is dead on - maybe that could've turned into something people still want to play.

The forums were made so that players could leave feedback but in its current state, it's a terrible place for it. There's a toxicity around here that makes productive discussion difficult and little incentive to change that. But where else is there? Reddit? Twitter?

I feel like they used to be more involved with the community and that's been lost since the Dawntrail launch. Major issues were acknowledged on the lodestone and more effort was taken to show off different upcoming content. We get two live letters per patch cycle now because there's so much time between them, but what is the benefit of that? Plenty of players genuinely want to engage with this game and make it better, but it feels like we're being talked at rather than with.

As for whether 100 page long threads get a response, I'll believe that when I see it...