That's not true, the new head of XI's dev team atm is from the original dev team. He was one battle director of xi before the promotion.

New Director for FINAL FANTASY XI (09/01/2010)
We would like to announce the appointment of a new director for FINAL FANTASY XI.

Former Battle Director Akihiko Matsui has assumed the post, and would like to take this opportunity to offer a few words of greeting to our players.


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Dear Users,

It is both an honor and pleasure to give this address as the newly appointed director of FINAL FANTASY XI.

With the commencement of official service for FINAL FANTASY XIV imminent, the period ahead will prove to be a turning point for FINAL FANTASY XI. I have had the privilege of being part of the team since the project commenced some ten years ago, but to assume the mantle of leadership at this juncture is daunting indeed.

As director, I intend to work in close cooperation with all project members and involved parties to ensure that FINAL FANTASY XI will continue to hold allure for our players. For truly, nothing would please me more than to see Vana'diel remain a gathering place for those seeking high adventure and camaraderie.

I look forward to your continued support in the future.

Akihiko Matsui
Director, FINAL FANTASY XI
Also the old dev team was not canned for FFXIV's flop, the team got reorganized and some stayed there some went back here. I beleive Tanaka is back on XI and has posted on the boards recently about the crysta donation relief effort. You have to understand that Yoshi-P is a very interactive guy, where as the staff from XI isn't so much so. They are trying their best, and from how they used to run things I say they are doing a good job. They have recently put much more of an effort in trying to please the playerbase than they have in the past.

The community representatives have stated themselfs that they do indeed read every post here, but to sit there and respond to each one individually would be unreasonable. XI has a smaller dev team than XIV does, and similarly they have a smaller community team to interface with us.