The ddos wasn't even our fault. Or SE's... It was a random group ddosing a. Group of lines that happen to host ffxiv servers along with many many other places.

Also, you say people wouldn't ddos just to get rewards and your crazy to think that. A few years ago a group of people ddosed a bunch of servers(cod/destiny/battlefield/steam/etc) for no reason besides the fact that they thought it was funny to mess with gamers. (look up lizard squad) if you throw in rewards for it it'll happen way more often.