while you have all been debating here, SE has already delayed release and extended early access right under your noses...

scroll down to the bottom of the front page of the lodestone, in bright green letters is says,


Early Access Period

August 24, 2013 (Saturday), 2:00 a.m. to August 29, 2013 (Thursday), 11:59 p.m. (PDT)

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/

it has been there since early this afternoon