However, it was always saddled with its initial business justification: a means to generate extra revenue from unused computer and network capacity outside the mainstream business use load times. This made the service appear largely costless from a computer and network resource accounting view and was the basis of the ongoing refusal by management to lease additional mainframes to support the service when it became popular. This choked developments GEnie could have made, but didn't dare deploy at the risk of becoming even more "too successful."
The service was initially designed as a way to generate revenue from unused computer and network capacity, which was outside of typical business use. This made the service appear costless from a resource perspective, leading management to refuse additional mainframe leases when it became popular.  This limited GEnie's development potential but they were hesitant to expand for fear of becoming too successful.