They got people buying ARX and the streams for those who buy in. But on the other hand look how the ADS people have been treated. Surplus to requirements... That wasnt nice.
The reality is FD did look at how those who didn't like the new exploration were treated and decided to stick with the new systems. They even told us that, quite early in the saga. Luckily for FD, the vast majority either liked the FSS/DSS or they adapted. Yes some left the game, but who is to say they wouldn't leave the game anyway for some other reason. We hear a lot of anectodical comments on how 'everyone hates the FSS', 'thousands have left because ADS was replaced' yet the game is actually still popular, still being played and enjoyed by a lot of people.