This is a sad thread to read, it's like there's only a handful of people who actually understand how free to play works or that each and every one uses different methods. Some good, some bad, it's as simple as that. That aside, what's it matter what other games are free to play?

This game has a niche community and it will always be small compared to others, difference is with the square logo slapped on they can sucker people to keep paying subs because they are "loyal" to final fantasy.

That, and the fact that both final fantasy mmos probably have one the most mild mannered communities(and super whiney) is what kept it afloat, not because they were some kind of great and amazing games(average if you ask me). Hell, I played XI for like 5-6 years and I still ask myself, "how in the hell did they manage that?".

It's very silly to be scared for a game that managed to get through 1.0 without losing everyone, if anything they are unstoppable at this point. As long as they don't build up too much hype there won't be too much room for disappointment, I mean we've already seen the pinnacle of failure on month 1-3 of FFXIV's release, and it only got better afterwards.

Long story short, they will never have a need to be F2P simply because they are square.