Population

[Resty]

I agree with Eldaena as to the underestimation of the PS3 launch impact.
While I agree XIV was poorly launched, the first pre-NA year of XI was very similar to this first year of XIV. I think the root of all XIV shortcomings stems from the fact that SE thought they were going to be able to launch the same way in 2010 as they did in 2002 (essentially a year-long beta ).
In the spirit of that similarity, that year mark, also being the NA launch date included the Zilart expansion. Most NA's at that time were introduced to XI on the PS2. The NA PC players in the early years were primarily those who wanted to play pre-release, and stayed PC players. Point being, the PS2 release caused an inarguably a massive population boom, and a giant breath of life into XI.
I have felt this probably was the blueprint for XIV as well. The awful response to the release has changed that plan, no doubt, but I think we can expect something at least similar, come PS3 release.