I think the masses want easy signups and easy interactions. Basically just jump in and able to get started.
For now, I think the Hive platform is still too complex for a normal non-tech savvy user. Being a blockchain platform, I think such complexities are inevitable. So there must be a strong pull such that users are willing to spend time overcoming these hurdles. Personally, I think it is difficult for such pull to come from apps or games because there are plenty of other choices out there. It ultimately still have to come from monetary benefits.
Hence, I think HIVE price will still be the main driver for users adoption for years to come.
Other than price, the only thing that I see a public blockchain can provide for a content platform is decentralization or basically censorship-resistance. Unfortunately, growth from this aspect is kind of slow as not many people really care about it.