I am sure people appreciate this being said, and it's great that you've proved that FeralHeart hasn't changed much popularity wise, and got that proof for those who disagree. However, I gotta say I understand where people come from when they use the term "FH is Dying". Sure, it's not an appropriate use of words, nor am I agreeing that FH is dying. On the other hand, when you read into it more, is it honestly that good that the FH popularity hasn't increased much since 2011/2012 as you so proved? I am aware that people leave, and people come to 'replace' the hole of those who do leave, but why are people saying Feral Heart isn't as 'great' as it used to be?
Don't get me wrong, it's lovely to see that Movie Nights are still being held, and that lovely 'official' Feral Heart events are still about such as; staff hosted parties, MOTS, preset contests and contests outside of Feral Heart. But you must agree that you don't see people turning up and involving themselves as much as they used to before? Or maybe how the number of users including themselves in these events aren't increasing? If not then maybe not enough attention is being made in terms of user activity. As said before, the game has changed a lot since 2011/2012. A lot of users were new, and a lot more Roleplays were about, people didn't need continuous events, and the majority of those events are held on the forum or external websites. People are coming, and people are going, but I see a lot of users on a daily basis that have been here since probably the beginning, who then see other users who are just the same as them. A year or so ago, user online activity would peak up to the 500's-600's. Don't you think users are getting a little bored maybe? Could this be the reason users are saying that Feral Heart is "dying"? I'm just trying to encourage you to read more into it.
Yes, a patch has been released, and the base of patches has been created. A lot of effort and time was put into it, and I know this because I was there to help even. A lot of users are more than happy to be on FH, whether changes undergo or not. A lot of people like the changes of Feral Heart and can appreciate what efforts have been made to make changes that people have been craving for a long time. However, I am online in-game almost every day for reasons. I see more complaints about how people do not like the changes than people who do. Sure, not everyone will like the same thing, and it's possible that you and others might only see them as ungrateful. But have you taken notice on how a lot of users are dropping Feral Heart because they're not happy any more? Instead of telling people most of the time how Staff had put a lot of time and effort into the patch, as soon as they say that they understand that, I just ask them what they want to see and what changes they do not like. Now, I'm not saying focus your future ideas based on those who don't like the changes very much, but to maybe listen and learn.
I understand that the patch was secret, that the patch was a nice surprise for users to see this past Summer. However, maybe it would be nice to have the users get a say in what they want for future patches? That would give Staff, or people who are working on the patch, a better base on what users want to see than just guessing and thinking "this would be cool to add". I guarantee you'd see a lot of users returning as well.
How about public advertising? Maybe FH could have it's own YouTube Channel? A place where you can post an advertisement of Feral-Heart, maybe update the main FH game advertisement each patch. It would sure grab a lot of gamer attention out there. A lot of games have their own YouTube Channel. This Shouldn't be a palce for sillyness, but a place for professionally made videos. Maybe release teasers of what's to come game wise. No voices, but some sweet music from the game, as well as text. A lot of games have high quality mics and recording stuffs, paid voices etc.. so it'd be wise not to use voice. Could end up sounding trashy. If you even wanted, upload Podcasts that you record. This would allow users to get to know you more, trust you more. Make a playlist on that channel, even, called 'podcasts'. Maybe name each one "Feral Heart Staff Podcast - Staff Member 1, Staff Member 2, Staff Member 3... and so on. Take advantage of other game forums if they permit advertisements for other games. Try to increase the popularity instead of settling with what users you have registered?
I donno. Maybe I went into too much detail, but too much detail is better than none I suppose. I just wanted to give users a more open perspective than just one proved point on game popularity/daily user count.