One of the reasons WoW had 14 million subscribers

[Moirear]

One minute we're being told we have to do real-time dodging to avoid AOEs and if we don't react fast enough it's our own problem but apparently abilities labelled "instant" that don't go off instantly (not an unreasonable request) is OK? What is FFXIV? If it's not an action game then they need to stop making me dodge like I'm playing one; and if it is then my abilities need to match the pace my feet are expected to move at (which apparently is so fast that on occasion I'm required to be able to see into the future o.O).

I'm gonna draw a comparison to other FF games here. They begin easy, and get harder as you progress, especially when you do the optional content. The games may have a fixed ATB system, but it's possible for stuff like Speed attributes or Haste spells or items to fill those ATBs faster and faster and have enemies that pummel your party with all sorts of attacks the further you get into the game. The pacing remains even though the combat gets faster and you have to react more quickly; when you're fighting a higher stage of Kefka, it's not the same speed of combat as when Terra, Wedge and Biggs are fighting in Narshe, but the pacing is maintained within the confines of the ATB system.

In FFXIVARR, when you progress further into the game, you have to react more quickly to AoEs and positioning. But the GCD still stays in place and the pacing is the same. It's still more tactical, and not really a twitch game. The latter being something which I also enjoy (GunZ or DMC for example), just not here.

You're still missing the point. These abilities are described as "instant cast", so why aren't they ? If someone complains that Medica doesn't heal in AoE as described , will you reject with a "go play another game" too ?

This is what's wrong with the so-called "White Knights", they love the game so much that they can't stand even valid complains.
Or is it because the OP use the tabou W-word ?

You're complaining about something that some other people may like the way it is, then resort to calling them names when they disagree with you. Do you seriously expect them to give you any respect?