I think everyone has a different mean about success, but most peoples measure the success with the value of the coin.
If the value of the coin high, then the coin is a successful project. You can call bitcoin is success because the value is very high and used by peoples around the world.
In the end, if nobody wants your coin, then there is no demand, and therefore no success so I can agree with this view. Except the problem is, I also see a lot of shitcoins that say, hey we've got listings and markets therefore we are successful but we all know what money can buy. Listings and markets:)