They should shed some light on...

[Terrini]

The question I have is will there still be the option to finish the original relic properly for the added incentive? Or if you don't manage to get Zodiac before then will the game go "ha! You are out of luck, no bonus for you!" if so that would also turn me away because I really do want to finish the whole process once, but I do dread the alexandrite and materia process... I've been doing it casually but I would be unhappy if I miss out for being a casual player.

[Shiki_Lockhart]

Of course it will continue... that is out of question because it would be a insult to everyone that did them. Stop being lazy and go get yours casually, you will get them eventually instead QQing in forum every days about it.

Instead farming atmas all day do just 1-2h a day. Do 1-3 books a week. Do expert roulette every day plus maps you get from each soldiery for alexandrite or now more fates 1-2h a day with 2.50 increased rate and/or hunts that you get for 200 seals each. Do 100-300 light a day (it was doubled the gain in 2.5 so is half time now). Farm 3-6 dungeons a day for zodiak.
Doing this way you wont feel the grind nor you will get irritated/frustrated and in the end you will get it.

Also the weapon you get now will get upgraded, it wont be from scratch... even if was the process would be the same and in the end you would cry again because you stopped doing over some grind you didn't want to do.

[ZephyrK]

If I understood that Famitsu article correctly, they will offer a "sequel" quest to the relic line... Meaning they will use a similar model of "growing" a weapon, although it may be a different one?

[Jinrya-Geki]

I'd rather just have coil-level fights to upgrade a weapon, than to what the current relic quest does now making you do the low-level dungeons for "ultimate weapon".

[kyuven]

I'd rather just have coil-level fights to upgrade a weapon, than to what the current relic quest does now making you do the low-level dungeons for "ultimate weapon".

They've repeatedly said that the relic weapons are specifically for those who can't do coil level fights, or need a better weapon to get in on coil level fights.
In other words, relic progression and raid progression have always and will always be separate, by design.
They want to give people who can't raid for one reason or another something to shoot for.

[Ehayte]

The question I have is will there still be the option to finish the original relic properly for the added incentive? Or if you don't manage to get Zodiac before then will the game go "ha! You are out of luck, no bonus for you!" if so that would also turn me away because I really do want to finish the whole process once, but I do dread the alexandrite and materia process... I've been doing it casually but I would be unhappy if I miss out for being a casual player.

So, the incentive probably wouldn't be that good regardless. The best they could offer is a title or acheivement or extra glamour...

HOWEVER - if the full-powere i135 Relics have a unique bonus for completing them, it might be worth it. i.e. you can "Use"" your relic item from your inventory or or armory chest to grant you a small bonus for a 1/2 hour, infinitely re-clickable. Like, I would imagine something like this (please don't flame for %s or the effects, its just examples):

WAR | +2% total HP
PLD | +2% magic defense
WHM | +8% self-healing
SCH | -3% mana cost for offensive spells
NIN | When buff is active, your magic skills get a 5% damage boost from your poison buffs.
MNK | Movement speed is increased by 5%, stacks with FoW
DRG | Jumps deal 2% more damage
BLM | Thundercloud receives a .5% increased chance to proc
SMN | Duration of Bio I is extended by 1 tick
BRD | Songs are 3% more effective

[Karen_Cerfrumos]

It's not about being lazy though. What if four years in we hit 5.0 or something. There's gotta be some kinda weapon for people to quest for right? But if we follow the logic of "well they can't just restart the quest chain", then players joining in are to be expected to do the whole line, starting with A Relic Reborn, if in shortened form? That is ridiculous.
These things cannot go forever.

[Lambadelta]

It's not about being lazy though. What if four years in we hit 5.0 or something. There's gotta be some kinda weapon for people to quest for right? But if we follow the logic of "well they can't just restart the quest chain", then players joining in are to be expected to do the whole line, starting with A Relic Reborn, if in shortened form? That is ridiculous.
These things cannot go forever.

Maybe not forever but yoshi has already confirmed that the zodiac weapon will continue in 2.51, and 3.1

[Karen_Cerfrumos]

Maybe not forever but yoshi has already confirmed that the zodiac weapon will continue in 2.51, and 3.1

Yeah, but that doesn't mean there isn't gonna be some large catchup mechanic. Obviously people who have been doing the weapon up to this point will be slightly ahead, but that's the most you can hope for.

[kyuven]

Maybe not forever but yoshi has already confirmed that the zodiac weapon will continue in 2.51, and 3.1

Yoshi said, and i translated his exact words: That there will be something LIKE the relic quest, a "sequel" as it were, in 3.1, but it will be separate from the current relic that ends at 2.51
In addition, he confirmed that those that finish the 2.0-2.5 one will be "taken into consideration" for the one in 3.1.

Personally, I think how the Zodiac weapon is made is a clue: The "old" relic is broken down and used as a catalyst for the Zodiac weapon. In 3.1, we could have that as an option OR we could do another, separate quest chain to get the catalyst for the new weapon quest chain.
EverQuest did something very similar for their "Epic 1.5" update about 10 years ago. And if you think OUR relic is a nightmare, take a look at that one.