Great post OP. You articulated what I've been feeling since Alpha.

2.0 was just didn't turn out to be the game I wanted it to be, personally. It fell short, big time. I remember when I first heard about 2.0 and how Yoshida was taking the reins, it was exciting. I was really looking forward to an upgraded and expanded FFXIV 1.0.

We got this instead; barebones of a game. Yoshida was not the savior of FFXIV to me. He kinda destroyed it for me as well as the 4 others I came to this game with.

I am not sure how long it's going to take for SE to make things right or if they will even put forth a meaningful effort. How long do we wait for that though? *sigh*

Anyways, speak with your wallets guys. Turn those sub renewals off, maybe SE will take the hint.