There's also the fact that for a lot of people who have friends whom are interested into getting into FFXIV, will find them wanting to share their first time experience going through the msq with them and it happens to be a lot of fun. Its how I at least got in.

We'll have to wait and see how 7.0 will start things because if they're intentionally going to start completely fresh with little to no hanging plot threads; goodbye all that developed character building (which I seriously doubt) then I'm all for having new players start at 7.0 for free as an available option for them.