I'm sorry you feel that cynical about the game Seranthor, but everything I say about growth, increasing numbers, etc. isn't my opinion or my lack of cynicism compared to your feelings on all this.
Growth and retention numbers are cold, hard statistics that show the game is garnering support in the form of more subscriptions as well as new players trying out what we have and deciding to stay. Argue all you want, quote all the situations where you feel the world is dying (this isn't the first time I've heard it either), but as long as more money is coming in, more players are deciding to stay than those that decide to leave, I'll will stand by my statements that the game is growing because, well, by all terms and definitions it is. Hell, a few days ago we even got a huge surprise from two of the game's players: stacks of dev-food from Dominos. All they wanted to do was say thanks for helping improve their experience.