Well said.
It doesn't even matter too much if some people are not playing due to the lack of large updates for a while. Its only expected. Some people need/want constant updates to keep playing. I think most of us love new features in games. But there again, being of the older generation, i remember playing games for years that never got updates, or if they did, they were through expansion packs that came out a couple of years later and often cost as much as the base game did on release.
So, there is definitely an element of expectations, and probably demographics.
What really matters is FD's commitment to keeping the game running so we can keep playing. People complain about the P2P networking, but its potentially a plus for the long term future of the game as it means FD don't have to care about subscriptions (as that would lead to pandering to the LCD) or even how many are playing.
If they are going to take a long time for the next major update, well, its a shame, but the game remains the same. It doesn't magically become worse because of it. I'll keep playing while i'm not bored, and if i get bored, i take a break. What I don't do is post predictions of doom on the forums.
I think what we now have to do is wait and see just how good this update is. If we wait 2 years and its a bit rubbish, well, that will be sad. But even so, again, the game won't (or at least shouldn't) become worse because of it (barring of course changes that some people don't like - c.f. Recent exploration changes).
So, worst case scenario, keep playing when I want, keep enjoying the game, take breaks when i want/need (there ARE other games out there!!!! Shocking i know!), and then the mega update which turns out pants, so would be sad, but game is still the game, so keep playing as i want.
Best case scenario, same as above, except the mega patch is really awesome. Lots of players come back. Naturally FD will have some new bugs with new exploits in it, players who focus no credit gain will come back, exploit the hell out of the bugs, FD will fix the bugs, they will complain and rage quit again. Most other people will just be happy with the new content.
FD say they remain committed, and as long as that holds true, then that's all that really matters.
One day, they will switch off the servers, and if there is no offline patch, that will be the end of the game, and that is the only DOOOOM that really matters.
Players taking breaks or quitting? Meh, their business. ED is (for me), 90% a solo game anyway, even when in PGs/Open. The events i take part in are taken part in by those who enjoy the game and are not likely to rage quit over long waits for new content or exploits being fixed.
Well said yourself. Perhaps it is a generational thing? I look back at the days of carts and Amiga games where patches were, for all intents, impossible. I still go back to Frontier: Elite 2 now and then, and I guess I remember that when you spent your £40 or whatever it was (okay, on the Speccy it might have been £2.99!) you got what you got.
Hell, anyone play the Division? I love that game... and I was led to "expect" a kind of Elite-generational thing. The Division 2 has just been released. Um, do what now? Or Destiny! I think we're bloody lucky in some respects.
But I'm old, so I'm probably not speaking for the larger demographic here.