Is the community wrong?

[KaldeaSahaline]

I've taken a break from FFXIV to enjoy Warcraft, but I still enjoyed FFXIV when I played, and like to check in with the community from time to time.

I remember reading reports that FFXIV's sub numbers are the highest they've ever been, and that the game is massively successful. Yet when I try to see how everyone is doing--it's all complaints about Eureka or the companion app, or something else.

I guess I'm confused as to why the sub numbers would be at an all time high if people were actively unhappy with the state of the game and its direction.

1) You probably read the expansion launch announcement (was it really a year ago? geez) where they did report the highest sub numbers they've ever had. That's normal with the launch of the expansion. That doesn't mean sub numbers were high in 3.5, or that they're high now in 4.3. We don't have concrete data, but there's evidence of a lot of players taking breaks and being unhappy with some decisions as of late. IMO - more so than in the past.

2) Massively successful is much tougher to quantify externally. It could be financially successful, but still not be good (A la launch D3 being a good example). I'd argue they've dropped the ball on meeting expectations a bit, but RDM and SAM as new jobs probably carried a lot of box sales.

Without data it's hard to speculate, but my feelings indicate that the expansion itself was probably very successful financially (they've said as much), but I'd posit that the subscription numbers don't match the expansion sales over/under indicating a lack of incentive to remain subbed, which we've seen the community echo frequently.

[Linkurrra]

1) Without data it's hard to speculate, but my feelings indicate that the expansion itself was probably very successful financially (they've said as much), but I'd posit that the subscription numbers don't match the expansion sales over/under indicating a lack of incentive to remain subbed, which we've seen the community echo frequently.

I'd say that SE's push in Marketing in the US was a big reason why it got so much attention on Stormblood. It has so much more exposure! It wasn't on the level of Blizzard's marketing.
I did find it laughable that SE marketing team in the US chose Fastfood and Snack cakes and Amazon for these promo's. but hey, it's progress and effort!