What does cash shop do for this game?

I am more just curious because they have had a cash shop up for some time now and I thought when it released this will help with creating a bit more content because they have a bit more money in their pocket.

I see people spending large amounts of money on Fantasias, buying mounts, buying minions etc but since then the game hasn't changed much in terms of content. When I heard they would include more content in 3.x I thought maybe this is where the cash shop money comes in but then I saw they had to remove a dungeon for it. I think they said they used it for EU data centers but that can't be the only reason because we still have the cash shop.

So I want people's opinion on the question: What does the cash shop actually do for FFXIV?

Helps develop FFXV.

It allows people who complain and whine for past event items to be given to them.

Helps the-

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Originally Posted by MomomiMomi

Helps develop FFXV.

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damnit I was beat

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Originally Posted by bass9020

It allows people who complain and whine for past event items to be given to them.

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It also allows for people to complain about people who complain and whine for past events items to be put in the Mog Station because more money is evil or something!

It pretty much funds the development for expansions for that team. While your sub pretty much pays for everything else. Regardless it is needed and helps the game in more ways than 1.

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Originally Posted by Remus

but then I saw they had to remove a dungeon for it.

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They stopped developing 3 dungeons per patch because they wanted to do 2 + another content type. Be this gold saucer, pvp, palace of the dead, diadem, whatever.
So you are actually getting about the same content, just ones going to be different than a dungeon.

I don't think we have access to the SE funding records, so we may never know exactly where the cash shop profits are going.

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Originally Posted by Canadane

I don't think we have access to the SE funding records, so we may never know exactly where the cash shop profits are going.

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This. They've not said the money goes back into FFXIV so it I bet it just goes back into the global SE "pot" and gets allocated to various Square Enix endeavours, some of which may go back into FF XIV. That's certainly not an unusual business practice.

So ultimately, it's probably best you just assume the money goes to Square Enix directly, not this game specifically (and treat your purchases accordingly if that makes a difference to you).

Yeah pretty much most of the money they make from subs and cash shop goes on SE other projects, sad but true

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Originally Posted by Maero

Yeah pretty much most of the money they make from subs and cash shop goes on SE other projects, sad but true

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Well yes.

The profit they made out of FFXI went into developing this game and I'm certain that a chunk of the profits made from this game is being used to fund other projects.

If you don't play other games produced by Square-Enix or buy their merchandise, then I can see how this would seem pointless to you.

Without someone pulling a Mission Impossible over on Square-Enix Headquarters and retrieving information relevant to how the profit made from this game is spent, we won't exactly know what % of the money made actually goes into further developing the game.

The topic of profits and funding for development has actually been bothering me quite a bit.. FFXIV has such potential, i wish they'd build on it by using more funds on it. :(

Funny how people will want past event items. I missed out on the Little Ladies Day event by a few weeks when I started. As much as I'd love to have the clogs, I can be patient and wait for next Feb for them.

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Originally Posted by Alestorm

Funny how people will want past event items. I missed out on the Little Ladies Day event by a few weeks when I started. As much as I'd love to have the clogs, I can be patient and wait for next Feb for them.

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Hope you're ready to pull out your wallet then. They're in the cash shop. They will not be returning as an event item because people are willing to pay cash for it instead.

Like others have said, proceeds from cash shop purchases go towards funding the development of FFXV and KH3. with a portion also going to the development of this game of course. :)( ~.ø)b

Pretty much the money gets used to fund other projects. Some money may go to FFXIV, some might go to the Dragon Quest series, some may even go to keep the lights on in those themed dining places. Its no different from buying DLC map packs, costumes and skins from a game that's already out and finished. Or as one youtuber I used to watch was saddened to learn the money he spent on GW2 and encouraged his subscribers to spend money on GW2 often didn't go to GW2. The money goes directly to NCSoft which might have been used to fund Aion, Lineage 2 or future projects.

God, you'd think that SE is acting like business trying to make money... that is so weird. This concept is like unheard of, I mean who does this kind of thing you know?

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Originally Posted by Lyshell

God, you'd think that SE is acting like business trying to make money... that is so weird. This concept is like unheard of, I mean who does this kind of thing you know?

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http://static2.fjcdn.com/comments/Mf...d3ba6e048e.jpg

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Originally Posted by Lyshell

God, you'd think that SE is acting like business trying to make money... that is so weird. This concept is like unheard of, I mean who does this kind of thing you know?

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As someone who greatly dislikes the cash shop, I don't blame SE for it. I blame the people who are too quick to pull out their wallet before even considering other options of obtaining things.

"I just had this great idea for a mount you could add to the game. I would love it if you made something like this and put it in the cash shop!!!!!"

Honestly I wish a portion would go to...yanno... a The World Ends With You sequel....?
or maybe even a Yosumin port???

I'm JUST SAYING, of course. Absolutely not interested in those things.

It really does sadden me that most of the profit this game makes is just funneled into FFXV and KH3 and other Square projects. The curse of an MMO. Forever being a steady revenue generator with low risk high return

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Originally Posted by MomomiMomi

Helps develop FFXV.

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This so much. SE treats FFXIV like a cash cow. Dont spend money on the CS unless you want to support SEs other games because im certain we see zero of the comeback from the CS, let alone our own subs... lol

I don't really mind it going to other SE games. I like SE as a developer. I've been waiting for FFXV for years and if buying cash shop stuff helped it finally get a release date then I'm fine with that, honestly..

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Originally Posted by AskaRay

I don't really mind it going to other SE games. I like SE as a developer. I've been waiting for FFXV for years and if buying cash shop stuff helped it finally get a release date then I'm fine with that, honestly..

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First, I don't mind the cash shop.

This attitude is the problem.

FFXIV subs and Cash Shop should be funding and improving this game. Yes profits should also go to other things in the company, that's common sense. BUT that doesn't meant you don't invest back into the thing giving you all that income in the first place.

If they neglect the game enough it will eventually falter. ( I.E. the hoards of people readying to / or having already unsubbed from the blatantly false advertising that is endgame housing. Now what if some of that Cash Shop money had gone into funding more servers for housing sooner? )

SE is depending on rabid fanboys and fangirls to sub mindlessly and not care if they invest back into the game or not. They will thrive on this attitude.

Again, I don't mind the Cash Shop, it's all glamour and silly anyway. What I mind, is it not benefitting the game.

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Originally Posted by AskaRay

I don't really mind it going to other SE games. I like SE as a developer. I've been waiting for FFXV for years and if buying cash shop stuff helped it finally get a release date then I'm fine with that, honestly..

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and the full length movie...
and the 5 part anime series...

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Originally Posted by Youkulm

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Um, I guess?
I don't know. As soon as I think this game isn't worth my sub anymore, I'll stop subscribing. I know lots of people were disappointed with housing but, personally, that's not why I play. I know there are some other pretty good examples too (like high end raiding tuning, midcore content, sameface dungeons, etc) but that, in my opinion, is all fine and while it could be improved, the only way it will be is if more people are hired to the FFXIV team, and I'm pretty sure don't have much control over that (sure they can ask "hey we need more peeps" but that doesn't mean they'll be granted that option). There's no such thing as a "perfect game" so this'll always have flaws, not to mention they can't make everyone happy all the time.
I was busy with school so I didn't play as much during this patch, but I stayed subbed, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited for 3.3.....

Also, FFXV movie?????
Well there goes more of my money....

1. SE makes money.
2. We get neato stuff that's fun.

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Originally Posted by Maero

Yeah pretty much most of the money they make from subs and cash shop goes on SE other projects, sad but true

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To be fair, 1.0 nearly bankrupted the whole company. It's a smart business move to funnel money into other projects to rebuild basically. They'll likely circle back to FFXIV if/when FFXV and FFVII: Remake do well. Or that's my hope at least.

Does it honestly really matter what the cash shop does financially for the game?
Obviously the funds from it and other ventures are still going towards some kind of development cost within Square Enix. Be that salaries for the development team, server costs, what have you.

The cash shop does nothing but bring some people enjoyment... which is what its for.
Almost every MMO nowadays has some form of micro transactions involved, I don't see it as a bad thing unless the cash shop was literally allowing Pay-to-win. To which it does not. None of the items/emotes on the cash shop will help you be a better player, or advance in the game. So, I say again. Does it really matter (to you) what the cash shop does for the game?

I was referring to the Little Ladies Clogs specifically, I need a sandals with tabi socks look for a planned glamour for my ninja spec when I hit 60 and get some gear.

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Originally Posted by MomomiMomi

Helps develop FFXV.

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Hope it's worth it actually brought a PS4 for it the other week.

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Originally Posted by MomomiMomi

"I just had this great idea for a mount you could add to the game. I would love it if you made something like this and put it in the cash shop!!!!!"

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and amen to that, bennu and magitek recolor mounts anyone? Not like we have a whole trial/dungeon relevant to those mounts to keep people doing them

Cash Shop is used to fund stuff like the EU servers and other SE games.

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Originally Posted by MomomiMomi

Helps develop FFXV.

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Well I sure hope that means they make a game most FFXIV players can play, then.
Meaning they should change their stance on not having a PC version of it :x

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Originally Posted by Atoli

Well I sure hope that means they make a game most FFXIV players can play, then.
Meaning they should change their stance on not having a PC version of it :x

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Considering every other numbered final fantasy title (except 1, 2, and 12) have hit PC now, it will be only a matter of time before XV hits PC as well. I think developmentally they didnt include it because it has already taken them so long to develop the console versions.

But I wouldnt be surprised if a year down the road or so it pops up on steam.

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Originally Posted by Vespar

Does it honestly really matter what the cash shop does financially for the game?
Obviously the funds from it and other ventures are still going towards some kind of development cost within Square Enix. Be that salaries for the development team, server costs, what have you.

The cash shop does nothing but bring some people enjoyment... which is what its for.
Almost every MMO nowadays has some form of micro transactions involved, I don't see it as a bad thing unless the cash shop was literally allowing Pay-to-win. To which it does not. None of the items/emotes on the cash shop will help you be a better player, or advance in the game. So, I say again. Does it really matter (to you) what the cash shop does for the game?

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It denies them content, which is pretty much the circle jerk argument concerning the Cash Shop.

it helps develoup and for the most part offers a chance for those who missed one time events to get what they missed.

i say for the most part since other things are exclusive to the cash shop
e.g.
Slepnir which was to help fan fund the EU server.
NPC armours (no reason for theese)
bennu (somethings hat makes no sence lore wise)

Does keep things interesting, the options are nice, but since its all cosmetic makes it more fun, changing race or looks, I got the moogle crap, I love most of the crap on it, the housing things though make me wish they'd put some more effort into tons of more housing items then just doing it for the cash shop.

It's been said many times already, but to re-iterate. Square Enix is a Business, and businesses stay in business by making money. Our subscription fees, the cash shop sales, merchandising; account activation/deactivation; all of these are rolled up into an FFXIV Profits & Loss report that upper management reviews. Which is probably used to calculate quarterly revenue & budget goals for the FFXIV department.

If FFXIV misses its revenue target, odds are that their budget will get cut next quarter to make up for the loss in revenue. If FFXIV meets or exceeds their revenue target, their budget remain constant with a minimal chance of being increased the next quarter, and someone will get a nice bonus.

There are exceptions, but it all depends on how Yoshida manages his department along with his ability to keep his promises in regards FFXIV's continued ability to generate positive revenue.

All talks about 'resource contraints' is really just code for 'not a large enough budget'.

I'll never approve of the cash shop in this subscription-based MMO, but I'm not gonna sit here and wax poetic over what evil it's done to the state of the game either. If it hadn't made them money when they first launched it, it wouldn't still be here. It doesn't "need" to do anything for SE/FFXIV other than what it's already doing - separating people from their money. That's it's sole purpose. Speculating over it further is kinda worthless.