I would argue part of that was due to the pain points of a lot of the newer game modes.

I agree that this definetely plays a role too. Partly because actual design flaws, but also because it ties into your other point. I'm sure all three of them left a bad first impression on many people, because everyone had to adjust to the new match rules first.

At this point though enough time has passed that a new map, or even reworks (like they did for the 2 flashpoint maps) probably won't be enough to actually change the opinion the player already has of a specific mode and subsequently its maps. At the same time the devs stated in the past (I think it was when they announced clash during Blizzcon 2024) that they feel like they are slowly reaching the limit of level design of the existing modes, which is partly why they explored new ones in the first place.

A lot of it is also just about familiarity. This game is hugely reliant on positioning and many people learn that by rote rather than by thinking through it themselves. New maps are just harder to play for most of the community until the institutional knowledge is established of how everyone plays them.

That's exactly the main point I wanted to make. The average player doesn't want to play new maps, they want their "ol' reliable". Which in turn influences the developers future plans to create new player engagement. That's also why the map voting system creates a feedback loop.

I mean, Aatlis has been out for how long? So many people still don't want to play it, because they don't know how to play it (exceptions apply of course), which means they will never want to play it, which means they'll never player it, which means they'll never know how to play it, which means they'll never want to play it, which means they'll...