Linear, linear, linear

[Kazhar]

Remember, SE has engagement metrics that we don't have. If they continue designing and expanding on things like Variant Dungeons, it's because they didn't fumble them, and people by and large are enjoying and playing them.

No, this isn't as cut and dry.
Variant Dungeons were already announced for 6.4 and 6.5 before the first one was even released, so having more isn't indicative of their success. It was part of their original planning after all, not exactly something you can cancel in the middle of the expac unless this was a complete disaster which made them lose tons of money.
Also, you could very well imagine a scenario where, despite its poor reception, SE could believe that the system still have potential and only need slight changes. After all, you can't judge an entire new gameplay system with only just one sample (maybe the reception could be better with different rewards, or different lore, or different bosses, etc.)
And lastly, I don't believe it's applicable here, but some features could stay despite their relative unpopularity because they require basically no cost to maintain (like unreal trials).
So no, more variant/criterion this expac doesn't necessarily mean it was well received.
We'll see when they announce the 7.0 features.

[Striker44]

No, this isn't as cut and dry.
Variant Dungeons were already announced for 6.4 and 6.5 before the first one was even released, so having more isn't indicative of their success. It was part of their original planning after all, not exactly something you can cancel in the middle of the expac unless this was a complete disaster which made them lose tons of money.
Also, you could very well imagine a scenario where, despite its poor reception, SE could believe that the system still have potential and only need slight changes. After all, you can't judge an entire new gameplay system with only just one sample (maybe the reception could be better with different rewards, or different lore, or different bosses, etc.)
And lastly, I don't believe it's applicable here, but some features could stay despite their relative unpopularity because they require basically no cost to maintain (like unreal trials).
So no, more variant/criterion this expac doesn't necessarily mean it was well received.
We'll see when they announce the 7.0 features.

I'm curious if you realize the contradictions within that post. You're simultaneously claiming that they would continue making them regardless of how they were received, but also acknowledging they could cancel them even mid-expansion if they really didn't work...which necessarily implies that they're doing fine since they're continuing with the plan to make more of them...

[Kazhar]

I'm curious if you realize the contradictions within that post. You're simultaneously claiming that they would continue making them regardless of how they were received, but also acknowledging they could cancel them even mid-expansion if they really didn't work...which necessarily implies that they're doing fine since they're continuing with the plan to make more of them...

huh... is this an attempt at a gotcha?
I just acknowledged that they could possibly cancel content if it's a big disaster. There's a huge scale between "massive success the silent majority loves it" and "so bad it needs to be cancelled or Square Enix will lose money". Just clearing that later condition doesn't make a content successful.