Is our sub fee not enought

[Reynhart]

With the way XI worked I don't think many had multiple characters for playing and was mainly just for extra storage which not possible in XIV unless want to jump though hoops to do it.

Heloooo, additional retainers

And there was a perfectly legitimate alternative solution for them: unlinking the MSQ from progression to the next expansion. They went the cash-grabby route instead.

No, they went the "we have our lore set up and we'll follow it" route. Giving free access to Ishgard for every little whiner who wouldn't have the dedication to finish the ARR storyline is a big middle-finger to what makes FF XIV a Final Fantasy.