@OP
So how is server upkeep, patches, & etc funded?

WOW actually has millions of active players subbed to pay for content development.
FFXIV is not on that lvl of income.

If they added not "Gametime Gifts" Tokens. Then theycwould need to significantly change the Cash Shop in order to offset the loss of income by players who are now playing for free.

Alot of people forget that server fuel, and paying the devs is extremely costly.