Okay Inverse, so we both agree that you need a community that wants to play a game competitive - well we have that for CoH 2.
I really don't see the problem then...
Let me simplify it as possible for you.
COH2 had massive following before it was even released.
Player base, casters, streamers, pro players, skirmishers, 1v1 players, 4v4 players. Sites like this one, promotion from existing COH player base, moders, map makers, former COH fans etc etc.
All ready and hardly waiting to play COH2
Discussions what player base wanted improved, changed, looked at. etc between developers and community was there; Promises, vision of the game etc were given.
Somewhere down the line Relic decides that it wants to target 'casual' and new players and make game appealing to that market.
Immediately 150,000,000 strong Russian market that wanted to play COH2 for obvious reasons is up in arms over the way Soviets are portrayed. (don't wanna go into validity, but none the less huge market lost)
Shortly after release 'casual' players (team games, skirmish, basic annihilate COH players) slowly realize that custom game lobby isn't in the plan, and those people for whom the game is supposed to be catered start spamming forums asking for custom lobby, etc. Eventually they give up and start leaving game in droves.
You get new players who find it to difficult to master Soviet units. Calling SU85 worthless and Cons useless and playing German = auto win. No one wants to play Soviet and 95% of time everyone searches as German. After long wait naturally they get a game vs experienced VCOH players who troll them and wipe them.
They endlessly complain on Steam forums, eventually abandoning the game in droves.
Lastly 'Pros' (1v1 players), who were this entire time been hopeful and taunting 'casuals' how their game mode is not important and arguing against Custom lobby, and telling newbies that they are stupid and L2P, realize that nothing is changing.
They start abandoning the game together with casters, streamers
And here we are right now, with people who find the game good thinking that community is toxic and Relic is doing everything in their power to make the game the best for everyone.
I am sorry, but I cannot agree with you that few people like Basilione and Inverse or me are guilty party because COH2 doesn't have large enough community.
I cannot also agree with Noun that it's casters fault that people don't watch casts
And I cannot see why Relic expects free promo from people who were deeply involved with COH franchise and spent countless hours working for free to make the COH what it was. When they were and still are clearly let down
The pattern clearly shows where the problem lies.
You like the game, great for you. I still play occasionally, but no I don't find the game that interesting or fun to play.
I do hope tho, like all the people here that waste their time and 'bitch' about the game they don't even like
Good hunting to you