Trouble is, or from what I heard from the NC defenders over at the now-dead forums, was that for anyone in a public company to do less than aim for WoW-level subs, is to risk being accused of not looking out for the best interests of investors (who probably don't know jack about what goes on in the gaming world besides "games make money"). So, you either have to commit suicide while chasing after that mirage in the desert, or you get put through a court martial before a tribunal of shareholders.
First, I dont miss those people. At all. They did much to sour the last moments of the game by incessant negativity. There were about four of them, and I hope karma follows them where ever they might end up.
Second, I hardly viewed any of them as real-world business titans who could be taken seriously. The thing about business is, it often consists of nonsensical moves by corporations such as lopping off profitable arms because a second arm is costing them money. This makes no sense to anyone sane, but corporations do things like that all the time! And they do even worse, perhaps because in the US profit is privatized, but losses are picked up by taxpayers. There is little incentive to behave in a logical, profitable fashion businesswise, because the "little people," the "99%" or the "muppets" will pick up the tab.
None of those people on the forums had a clue what they were talking about. I'm just glad they are gone.