@Casuals
(people who want to do challenging content, but don't like lots of guides, don't like waiting 45 minutes for PFs fill and then collapse after 2nd pull, don't like progpoint threats, don't like scheduling, don't like the anti-ToS stuff that always goes with discords.)

Do you think the message has gotten through?

I was really impressed with the live letter because of the bravery it took. It was going to be a double edged sword, and it has been. But the way to fix that problem is with the game, not by avoiding the issue and sweeping it under the carpet, not with a service game.

However: when I saw the announcement of delay of Ultimate, and all the bowing and the clear apologising, and the kowtowing, that came with that, even though they were promising it would still be coming (before 8.x)...
When I compare that with the brief covering of lack of FT 'normal' got, I realised I felt a little sick as I suddenly spotted the difference...
At first I interpreted Yoshi's demeanour RE FT normal as he was 'not happy' that there wasn't one but didn't want to comment, but then I realised, I don't think there was an apology?
They really do offer apologies when they 'are' sorry.
I take that as they didn't apologise becuase they still don't see the problem, they are just giving in. (this time)
I now interpret it, that I don't think they do agree there was a problem just providing FT designed and tuned to keep Ultimate raiders feeling it was worth their attempt, but rather that they will be conceding, condescending even, to provide an OC normal, if people really insist.

This I think doesn't bode well, for them turning the game around at all for the players that are leaving (and will be leaving once they are caught up).

That I think, I'm afraid means, that I can't hope for much from 8.x.
As many have now said. 8.x doesn't need to be good, it needs to be "knocking it out of the park" all the way from 8.0, to 8.1.x . And it needs to be for the people who are not happy, that's not the high end players.
That requires the greatest of passion from inside. I don't see how that passion can be there if they still don't think they owe a far greater apology for FT that for the mere delaying of the next ultimate.

Well done for the live letter I supposed. But the reason we didn't get FT normal, is because savage did get Chaotic, savage will be getting DDlvl100+ (and it won't be Ex difficulty, and there is a big difference)
An Ex difficulty dungeon (because it only has 4 people) should not need strategy videos. It especially should not need progpoints that the community will attack each other over because of disagreements over polish-practice vs mastery not having to suffer each other.

(Savage players please just stay out of it. Please don't argue we just need to enjoy something we don't, or should start playing games for reasons other than fun, like you. Your happy. Your not leaving. It's not of consequence to the game what you think, unless your argument is that the latest bancho figures are jut fine, which many of you do think, we already know so you don't need to repeat that.)

I do especially want to hear if many casual players do take the live letter otherwise, and read between the lines that CB3 agree they do want to be providing more midcore (accessible but still where playing well matters).