I just want people like you to stop for a moment and think. Just one moment. Is the game at the stage yet where they think it is complete and that they are ready to relaunch and get whatever new flak comes their way...or is it that this game isn't Free-To-Play as many of you love to say. It isn't a free to play game. It is a game that is free to play WHILE THEY FIX IT.
I know it takes some abiliity to understand such subtleties, but it can't be beyond you surely? I doubt anyone is saying that the game is perfect, and that everything is just *fabulous, darling* but at the same time these folk have enough people to play with - for the moment- and are willing to wait until the game is, effectively, relaunched in the future.
The changes they are making are not purely for those at Rank 50, this is a total redo from the ground up for the future of the game, not us. We bought a game, that soon enough will probably not even exist except in the past. Do I think I'll like the new version of Final Fantasy XIV? I'm not sure, but at least I can understand that the population in this game doesn't matter a toss at the moment.
It wont be shut down unless the relaunched, revamped game goes down the tubes, and even then it may be held onto after funnelllng so much money into it. Again, this is not a free to play game, in that it was launched with the intention of not having a monthly fee, so you can't compare it. As to its standing against other pay to play games, even without the fee - yes, it isn't doing well. We know, by the Gods, WE KNOW.
However they are trying to fix it, and it wont be one *magiic patch* and those holding out that kind of hope are deluded. I expect to see slow but steady progression (check out your journal, combat text, even your controller methods) that eventually builds up to a complete product. To think that they just snap their fingers and boom, whole new game that is awesome is what seems to be the common thoughts here. Just stop it.
I shouldn't even need to post this, it is bloody obvious. Again, the game could have zero players, and they would still work on it - why do they care? It isn't as if this is the new teams game, this is still - in the main - the previous regimes and they are starting to implement their bigger systems at their most basic levels. I know it can be difficult to use logic, but please, please try. And yes, I am seriously passive-aggressive, but the levels of anal-retentitiveness and stupidity is unbelievable, as is the death bell tolls, if it was going to be shut down, it would be gone already.
Admitting the game is dead...Gods...get a grip. Also, the changes from the new team aren't even fully underway in terms of implementation - SE hasn't tried to get anyone back, and I'd assume no one there expects such until they feel ready to say so. White Knight? No, I'm logging on less than ever (actually because changes are on the way rather than because of the 'state' of the game) but unlike so many in the gaming world I seem to realise things take time, you don't just point at some guy and say "Hey, make a dungeon/combat system/quest hub/storyline" and poof, next day, new *insert feature here*.