Are people really surprised and disappointed at the number of registrants KOFXIII got for EVO? If you are, then why didn't you sign-up and register to make the numbers higher than you thought they would be? Also, as mentioned before the large number of registrants from last year mainly came from a t-shirt with a quarter (or more) of those people not showing up to their pools...and the fact that it was a new game and first KOF on the main stage.
We got lucky to have a second chance at EVO this year...it may not comeback next year. Plus, 430 (or whatever) isn't bad, there might be better matches and competition due to the smaller numbers. The large number last year probably had 70% scrubs and fanboys with the 30% of good high level players.