Having run one of the worlds more successful MMOs for 8 years, I'd like to know why exactly we still need player polls to figure out what people want. I remember several exit-polls and surveys from FFXI. Surely, it isn't outrageous to think that a billion-dollar company like SE would analyze market trends.

Surely with all that data from the 8-years of running FFXI and its exit surveys, Square-Enix had an idea of what drove people away and what people liked. With 20+ years experience making world-class games, 8 years of FFXI, and a huge financial backing, one can only ponder what happened between the FFXIV Tech Demo in 2005 and the creation of the world and systems for the next 5 years.

Perhaps Square-Enix entrusted certain individuals to carry out such analysis and develop a blockbuster hit. I just don't know. It saddens me that after waiting 5 long years for this game, we're back to the drawing board and brainstorming...