If FF XIV was like FF XI, All the FF XI playerbase would have moved to FF XIV by now, and the game would have the company earn Money. And the so bad elements of FF XI could be improved and then FF XIV would be a success by now in terms of gameplay, content, profit, and playerbase.

But ok. FF XIV was not FF XI. It was something Different. The results we all saw them.

And about how If FF XI was launched today would fail... Where do you base that? Because as far as i am aware of, When FF XI was released for Xbox 360 which is not far from today, the number of subscriptions was significantly increased.