OP let me let you in on a secret
:Brad: and Sony at the time (even lol) thought that this shit wouldn't even make any money and it was originally a pleasure project that Him (brad bless) and SMedly dumped their savings into and got lucky on getting a paycheck from Sony SPORTS entertainment at the time, this was going to be like their big shot into getting into the gaming biz butt they had
ZERO PHDs and Psychology papers on addiction and skinner boxing
They hired ppl and where ppl who wanted to created a world and bring it to life.
They cared FUCK ALL about
[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]rogression
:raiding
:balance
:time investment
:engagmement metrics
:monthly subs
[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]layer retention
they had no idea what the fuck would happen they just wanted to make the best elf simulation there ever was and it didn't matter if you where a level one elf talkin to npcs because level 60 did not exist in their minds until later into kunark and, then, Sony Online entertainment....
and yes I know verent and 989 but sony was their big parents. those where like shell companies once the game was succesfull enough for PoP launch it was time to cash in the IP and those companies where no longer nesccessary
G-d bless
and br-d bless!