To be honest I have a feeling that SE has a specific problem when it comes to new optional content, notably when they try to develop something new like Island. They start working on it too late and probably can only test it after it's done, so if it's not good, not much they can do about it because they planned and announced it for release at patch X anyway. And adding to this, they also don't talk to players to get any feedback anyway, so it essentially ends up being like throwing darts at the wall and hope something sticks.