Are the developers of XIV out of touch?

[Bourne_Endeavor]

And I dare say that if someone really hated FFXIV, or didn't care enough about it, this person probably wouldn't be here posting in the first place.

Exactly.

Case in point, when I ventured off to play Blade and Soul for a spell after friends nudged me. I wound up leaving the game without so much of a word outside a single review post. Why? I wasn't invested nor cared to be. Therefore, I just quietly went away. People who dislike or hate something typically go away without much fanfare. Those criticising something usually do so because they care and want things to improve. Even if opinions ultimately differ on that subject.