In-game content behind paywalls/ Exclusivity on limited time events/mounts/etc

[Malakii]

Both are important. One can't exists without the other, hence a balance has to be maintained. You'd know this if you've ever run a business.
The playerbase is largely happy with the cash shop as it is, it's one of the better, most player-friendly cash shops of all MMO's. It's not at all predatory because it's all cosmetic, and it's not advertised in-game.

You would also know that you can have all the stakeholders and investments you want but you would not have any profits without consumers. If the community disagrees with a direction SE is going we have the power to say no. SE could say you know what FFXIV is not worth it and shut it down or they would change. I think we hold a little more value than you give us credit for, they want that ROI.