This is just appalling

[Belhi]

None of this work needs be done if there is no cash shop.

Actually most of it would have to be done anyway. Things like the server upgrades would have had pretty rigorous cost analysis. Budget approval would be based on expected production so estimates could be done on expenses and resources needed. That is ignoring the fact that SE has many projects apart from FF14 that also factor into its budget model.

Plus none of this changes the fact that many of the items in the cash shop are paid for by the cash shop sales and as such wouldn't be developed without those sales.

Lets not forget that you can earn all the Wow items by playing the game since you can simply buy the currency through ingame coins. Heck you can even buy playtime through ingame coins..nothing like that is possible in FF14

While true I think its worth pointing out that system doesn't exist in a vacuum. You can buy Cash shop items and playtime with in game currency but the flipside of that system is you can also buy ingame gold with real world money.

You want one side of the system, your probably going to have to accept the other which means people buying Gil with real world money. Considering some of the best gear at the moment of launch for raids is crafted that gets perilously close to Buy to Win, unless they nerf the gear and screw over crafters.

You don't get to cherry pick parts of payment models you like and leave out the bits you don't. Payment models are designed in the end to ensure revenue is enough to justify the production and continued development of a game or service. There is always some form of revenue stream integrated into it.