That's the most bullshit thing I've ever heard skyfall. I think a large portion of the mount and blade community will end up buying this just as they bought NW. I think it'll be worth the wait
FSE doesn't have to count of a "large proportion" of the M&B community. Here's why.
1. A lot of those community players prefer the medieval combat setting over gun fights.
2. A solid proportion of the M&B community despises FSE.
3. War of Rights has in my eyes been ahead of FSE in nearly every visible aspect. Most likely resulting in people trying that game first, whenever it is released.
FSE needs to relay mainly on it's own community (NW), the people that enjoy ACW games and some allround players I guess. Obviously there will be a proportion of the M&B to try it out like they would try out any other game. But it's by far not that big as you imagine it to be.