If you add a shared sub model between XI and XIV

[Alhanelem]

okay, whatever, I'll believe it when i see it, but seriously

If they're paying to pay, they aren't freeloading. They deserve to be able to play just as much as anyone else. You pay Netflix one price to access their content, so I don't get why you're so opposed to SE offering a similar deal for their online games. SE still gets money, they wouldn't offer it if they had a problem with how much money they're getting. And it applies in both directions, its not like this only benefits FFXIV players (or vice versa).

Modern MMO players are going to figure out pretty quickly if they like FFXI's slower gameplay or not. I don't think you have to worry much about "freeloading" noobs ruining the game for anyone else.

Further, a program like that might keep some people off private servers, I'm seeing them get advertised more aggressively recently, and you can be sure that SE would rather people be paying them something than TRULY freeloading.

Most people who already sub to both aren't playing them *simultaneously*. You're dividing your time between them in some fashion, so it's really, really not unreasonable to offer an option that costs more than one sub but less than both.

(Full disclosure, I have a legacy FFXIV account, so I have a permanent discount already- I highly doubt they'd let legacy accounts stack discounts)

f the Final Fantasy Anniversary Presentation happening on February 7th.

This doesn't make sense, as the FF brand's anniversary is in December. I rate this claim "Highly Dubious."