I don't know how FFXIV can possibly survive the impending disaster that is TERA, Blade&Soul, Star Wars, Rift, Guild Wars 2 and so on, without doing something that those games aren't doing. But, currently, all of those games do everything FFXIV does, and they do it better (apart from crafting, which is FFXIV's only strong suit at the moment).
FFXIV needs to differentiate itself and tap into the almost untapped market potential of Sandbox gaming if it wants to survive.
XIV already is differentiating itself from the rest -- however due to a bad rush release it needs a fair amount of work, but like XI it'll end up being one of the more different MMOs to be released at the time.
Even if you aren't serious, I see FFXIV having the potential for this. Many of the already present areas are very vast and open. There is the potential for open world player housing, even if it means starting small with tents or small huts (See: Other thread on forums currently).
I agree with the op, if Yoshi attempts to westernize this mmo it will be a guaranteed fail in the west. There is no way this game can out WoW WoW, and honestly I would leave in a heart beat if they tried.
They need to continue on the path they are, keep grouping a focus, add some solo content to occupy those who can only play 30mins-1hr a day. Most importantly keep the idea that it is a FF first and MMO second. IF they forget what is a final fantasy the game has no hope for the future.
I think Game Designers need to stop trying to follow fads. The internet is one big fat stinky troll that is sitting on the dining room table.
FF has a set, dedicated fanbase, who like their games a particular way.
Don't mess with Granny's recipe when you don't even know it.
This game has already Out-Wow'd Wow. If you're playing it instead of WoW, it must have won at some point in time.
Posting in a gifthorse thread.
For relevancy, I say Triple Triad, which is always my answer.
This game will succeed as long as Yoshi-P puts FFXIV in the gray area between FFXI and WoW. Going too far in either direction will make this game an upgraded 10 yr old disaster(XI was great for its time) or another clone. Hitting the middle point would enhance FFXI strengths while getting rid of its weaknesses by reaching to a wider audience instead of just hardcores.
As I have stated before No MMO can truly become a success unless they reach out to Hardcores as well as the Casuals.
Hardcores create the foundation while Casuals help build the structure.
Our current Armory system is like FFXI Subjob system v2.0. It has the same concept but it is much more flexible in its design. This would be one of XIV's strong points to make it unique from other MMOs. The only problem with it now is its not complete yet.
I am a strong believer SE will put more time into it and apply the missing pieces to complete it(instead of scrapping it).
Also I think the system will be similar to this one...
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/3648
or a more restricting but also a good plan...
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/1973
There is no Final Fantasy theme park MMO, so yes, it can damn well compete against upcoming theme park MMOs,
keep in mind FF fans are used to playing single player games.
fact of the matter is we're going to be up against some pretty stiff competition in 2011, and we'll need something that'll lure people.