This doesn't sit right with me though Lux. If this is investor orientated why is it still active? Any other game that failed as hard as FFXIV did would have its funding cut and labeled a loss. Yet here wer are nearly a year later after months up months of free trial.

It seems to me that SE cannot let a flagship title go down so hard which is why they are pumping money into a dead horse. In this case wouldn't going back to basic to recoup their previous fans satisfy the reviewers so FF can keep its luster and still be obtainable? I understand investors are likely balding old men who think computers are communist machines and wonder why the secretary hasn't fetched them another drink yet but it stands to reason.

If FFXI had X number of subscribers for Y years. They tried something different with FFXIV and it failed horribly. Wouldn't they shelter under the comfort and safety of a previous success?