[Zapmeister]

If they are playing VQ's to win and they don't, does that mean that it isn't the design's fault but the player?

Certainly. But if the popularity continues over a period of time (which I believe it has) then it means they probably are winning.

And even if it doesn't, the persistent popularity is a problem in itself, regardless of what causes it, because it reduces the diversity of pretenders in the game.