I don't think the developers would keep characters they thought wouldn't appeal to the audience. I think it's more like, they wanted to throw in a couple that were relate-able to their mostly young audience, and show us the story from their point of view. I mean, it's one thing to write what you thought was a good character that nobody ends up liking, but actually believing a character is unlikeable and making them the focus of the story? It seems to me like it was originally meant to be a four man show, Ashe, Basch, Balthier, and Fran, and no guest slot, because they'd all be out.