Huh? My assumption that discussions are had between developers and competitive players is taken from the knowledge that developers base balance decisions on competitive games. There's lots of evidence that that is the case. Discussions just seem like the next logical step in a process that is already occurring.
Watch a show like state of the game, where top players discuss the happenings of the SC2 scene.
There is something I've noticed on that show and there is never any mention of any communication with a developer.
Why is that important? It's important because there are no discussions.
Sometimes it's best for the developer to do what they feel is right for the game they have made. Design by committee doesn't work and the best games are the ones that have a very strong designer at the helm.
Take Shigeru Miyamoto, he is second to no one. He's sold more software than any other developer in the world and is infamous for canning years of work if he alone doesn't find the game fun to play.
I strongly believe the games that we find fun to play are a result of this thinking amongst the developers.