Asmongold is right, FFXIV's biggest problem is selling you the game. It's too messy.
I haven't been a new player in years but watching Asmongold discuss how he had difficulty purchasing the game, making a Square Enix account versus a FFXIV account, Steam only works with Steam, etc.... It's just too much.
Think of their competition, WoW is simply open their website and/or launcher and purchase the game. One login, that's it.
For Endwalker Square-Enix should really tighten this process up. Make it one easy account and make it easier to purchase / upgrade the game.
This has been something people have been dealing with for years now, it needs to be fixed. I am tired of seeing people who would enjoy the game quit before they can even try or start with a bad taste in their mouth due to this awful mess of a system.