Money this game makes

[Gemina]

Is a significant amount of it going back into the game itself? I don't like supporting square-enix's other constant live service failures if that isn't the case.

Then you would have to stop playing FFXIV. If that was an actual consideration of yours, then I would invite you take into heart that the only way the money you put into any particular product on the market goes to that single item is if the company makes just that one product. Your arm deodorant, toothpaste, and brand of soap may very well come from the same company that also makes items that you don't use; and possibly might even disapprove of. This is actually quite common as most people fall victim to advertisements, and don't research into the companies they buy their stuff from.

I would even go as far to say that the more money FFXIV makes, the more that goes into square's other projects. It has been mentioned that the money the cash shop makes all goes directly into FFXIV. While I can't recall anything official about that, I would wager a good chunk of savings on it being the case as that is usually how cash shops work because they are not supported by their parent companies.

That said, hopefully you can come to terms with whichever direction you decide to go.