Quote Originally Posted by Absurdity View Post
Are we talking active sub numbers or account numbers? Because I've heard SE only ever mention account numbers. Mind you, not even active accounts, just total accounts which is the most useless measurement for success I've ever seen.
Not really. Number of active accounts is useless because, other than housing, there is nothing in the game that actively tries to keep you subbed, and housing is limited. Increasing total accounts means the interest for the game is still there. So as long as they keep making profit (preferably increasing profit) and interest is there (preferably high and/or rising), then that's what matters more for an ongoing service, regardless of the ups and downs of active accounts.

And I believe they don't count free trial accounts, so people have always had means to try FFXIV and see if it's a game for them, and even more so with the recent expanded trial feature.