Let's be honest about the future of FFXIV

[Dreamer]

While I realize that I'm not in the majority, I can honestly say that I would pay for a subscription for the game in its current state.

My thoughts on several points made by the OP:

• I don't think the UI needs to be completely revamped. I think it needs to be polished and streamlined, and even there it's mainly just the inventory that needs to be reworked. I think the main screen UI that you see most of the time is fantastic.
• 500,000 US dollars is more than enough to justify a game existence if the game's infrastructure and personnel costs are less than that.
• Regional servers are unnecessary, once they finish reworking the UI so that more is done clientside.
• Content is coming. We're seeing more and more with every patch.
• Shutting down and wiping would remove 90% of the existing playerbase. Yoshi is very likely aware of this, and is probably one of the reasons he has said he will NEVER do this.

While I wouldn't think to call the game successful yet, it's slowly getting there. I've been unhappy with a lot of the decisions made so far (oh auto-attack, how I despise thee; let me count the ways...), the game overall is still one that I enjoy.

[Pyrix]

While I realize that I'm not in the majority, I can honestly say that I would pay for a subscription for the game in its current state.

My thoughts on several points made by the OP:

• I don't think the UI needs to be completely revamped. I think it needs to be polished and streamlined, and even there it's mainly just the inventory that needs to be reworked. I think the main screen UI that you see most of the time is fantastic.
• 500,000 US dollars is more than enough to justify a game existence if the game's infrastructure and personnel costs are less than that.
• Regional servers are unnecessary, once they finish reworking the UI so that more is done clientside.
• Content is coming. We're seeing more and more with every patch.
• Shutting down and wiping would remove 90% of the existing playerbase. Yoshi is very likely aware of this, and is probably one of the reasons he has said he will NEVER do this.

While I wouldn't think to call the game successful yet, it's slowly getting there. I've been unhappy with a lot of the decisions made so far (oh auto-attack, how I despise thee; let me count the ways...), the game overall is still one that I enjoy.

You have low standards.