Quote Originally Posted by VirusOnline View Post
It'd be silly to think that cash is not a part of the equation here regardless of what was done and said. No one is intentionally being greedy, but above all else, what needs to be remembered is that SE is a business and revenue is demanded from each and every project decision. Yes, savage raids can be called revenue because it is content that keeps players playing and paying a sub. A business cannot survive on pure fan service, but female viera (in all its obviousness) is a smart fan service business move as is male Hrothgar (with the dying WoW playerbase). Female Viera will appeal to those who play female characters and female viera diehards. Male Hrothgar will appeal to WoW players who are looking for another MMO to devote their time to. Fantasia sales will be (one hopes) tremendous.

We can all sit here deluded by the idea that SE does nothing for the sake of money, but at the end of the day it is a business. It has employees. It requires ideas that motivate income.
Oh cash is absolutely part of the decision. It had to be part of the discussion they had when deciding on if they wanted to add just one race or two. They've said as such when they gave their explanation; they had to balance out their want to add something for the fans (viera), adding a beast race (which was something other MMO's have and FF was lacking), and deciding that their staffing levels would only allow for designing 1 male and 1 female options. They're all business decisions, including considering what would be the most enjoyable for the player base at large.

Money is always part of the discussion for business, but I think they made their decision based on the logistics of the situation and a broader look at what they wanted in the game rather then "bunny girls will move those fantasia sales! Get to it!"