I wonder if a server dedicated to a more classic style (kinda like a role-play designated server) wouldn't be as sufficient as a classic server rolled back to some point in time?

I'm not sure SE can go back to the classic server, but I feel like you can do everything that you could in the past today. The difference is the player base isn't of the same mindset, and it's harder to find linkshells/parties that want to play old style.

If there were a designated server for those who prefer grouping/classic style of play, perhaps that would help like minded people find each other more easily.

I love how FFXI has changed and feel it needed to, but it doesn't mean I don't miss the old style of play generally. I can remember coming back after Abyssea and having a blast grouping with some friends, only to find out the new way to exp was to book burn, and folks would run you over if you didn't join. We hated book burning, and still exp'd the old way, just found camps that weren't book burning camps. It was disappointing to have to miss some of our favorite old camps, but we adjusted and still had fun and had new content. Level sync was fantastic for us.

I won't auto-level a job in Abyssea, but when I first came back, I leveled my RDM because a friend took me and caught me up so I could do the end game stuff. For those who want that, I think the changes have been great. I don't have to do things I don't care about doing. I still love a lot of other additions. I feel I can still play my way, except that it is difficult to find people who WANT to do the old group content the way it was intended.

Outside of more options making most folks take the easiest path (and thus making linkshells/grouping less necessary at lower levels), I feel like having more options is a good thing. If you have friends to level with, I don't see how the current setup is so different from the past. Exp is a lot easier, but it still takes time leveling the old fashioned way. In many cases you can choose not to use the newer things you don't like. I enjoyed old fashioned skill up parties, hunting for keys, level breaks, etc with friends, and nothing stops me from doing it today outside of not having anyone who wants to do it or needs help doing it.

If being on a classic server is to force folks to play the old way, I can see some doing joining, but it's hard to imagine most not preferring some of the wonderful options that have been added.

I could see going to a server more dedicated to 'role playing/ old style play', but much as I loved ffxi nostalgically, I can't imagine going back to the game exactly as it was when I started or at a given point along the way. There is so much great content to enjoy now. Where would 'Classic' stop, exactly? And what specifically could you do in the classic server that you couldn't do today if you could find like minded folks? I know it takes more exp to level, and some things like COP have been made easier, but they were made easier several times, which version is the 'classic version?' I thought Cop was exceptional as it was, but I think more folks have enjoyed it now that it's easier to complete, and it would be a shame for folks not to be able to experience the wonderful story.

Just my thoughts.