Quote Originally Posted by Zehira View Post
lol HorizonXI reminded me a lot what Vana'diel is all about.
I don't doubt that at all. Good for you.

Privates can't replicate the experience retail has or had. Retail can't replicate the experience and community of a private server. This is a good dichotomy.

What needs to be understood is the true scope of financial opportunity for retail. Are the segment of players who wouldn't pay for either retail or a private server really some detriment to retail and it's longevity? No.
Is there a meaningful group of players who are not subbing to retail because of private servers? Maybe, but that missed the point of if that matters by leading the question the wrong direction. These players enjoyed something else more. It just so happened to be a different XI experience. This means that retail either wasn't going to continue occupying their attention and moot point. Or, players want to continue having that retail experience while subbed and the unique one of a private server.
Players like Pixela understandably put their hopes and dreams of continuing XI for as long as possible on others, but that is wrong to do. I can continue, but I think the point was made.