I can see peoples points about the forums being a communication device between the player base. I do like that idea. And I do suspect that Brucey is right in regards to how the developement team looks at specific feedback and ideas coming from these forums, but regardless. These forums do have moderators, and those moderators are in Yoshi's ear, so whether they admit to it or not, or if the act or not on ideas, these forums place the player's voice directly in SE's proverbial ear. That "voice" whether intended or not does influence decision whatever level that may be.

The danger I see is player base's likes and opinions are constantly changing. Is the direction of the game based on the changing MMO's players mood, or is based on experienced MMO professionals who have a precise gameplan layed out for how this game will be developed. I for one like auto-attack, but at the same time, my curiosity would of liked to see how Tanaka's plan would of played out if it had not been torpedo'd by a combination of a game released too early, and poor poll results by the player base.