Lack of voice acting is really hurting the emotion of the story

[Edax]

If SE did invest more money into FFXIV, those funds could be used to address pressing issues like inventory space, or adding a fifth or sixth encounter for Eden. Putting resources means something else either loses out or doesn't benefit.

As for SWTOR. Considering the sheer amount of money invested (half a billion dollars), it did nowhere near expectations. And if I recall, it several years before consistently turning a profit. They didn't abandon the subscription model without reason, after all. That isn't to say voice acting was the cause but rather they invested into the wrong things.

Perhaps, but admitted I ended up far more invested into the SWTOR story then I ever was with FFXIV.
FFXIV may definitely be a better financial model, but it suffers in the story department for it. For the sake of SE making more money for themselves, they made the right call.