From an outsiders perspective, at least as far as the game itself goes, I don't think its hard to imagine this news putting a lot of people off even further (considering the WHM explosion, qq my boring summoner and so forth).

This game, although using a very different server system than other popular mmos (which now run megaservers), is already alot quieter throughout the days I pop in and out. If we go on other games forums, generic mmo forums and so on; what FFXIV is 'known' for (indeed, respected for) is its PvE dungeon/raid content).

Like them or not, they were clearly done very well in comparison to offerings elsewhere. Diminishing them in any way, will have an effect. Like it or not.

As someone who does enjoy them, I can see the game holding less of my attention. Naturally I prefer games like ESO for PvP (faster play) but when games like it, only really fall short of FFXIV because of those dungeons? Well FFXIV starts to offer far less. Especially when you recall that many games are f2p/b2p as well. The reasons to go with the sub start to decrease.

Seems unfair that you bicker like children about whether or not people should like dungeons. Its subjective. However that said; it is completely true that this game is not KNOWN for things like POTD and its other content. Because they are not of the same development caliber. Far beit for me to pointlessly doomsay, some things in this update do seem lackluster (WHM here?) and that will be compounded further if the new content is not a good replacement for whats lost.

I never get the impression that this community really knows what to expect. Which is a problem. Considering what you all invest financially.