In fact, while I am at it, there are many things that make me think there is no real, definitive design strategy.

Once Yoshi mentioned "bringing FFXIV to standard". He said that there were lots of things "MMO players" (ha, like they're all the same!) expect from an MMO which FFXIV doesnt have. And that he intends now to implement these things.

So then you have to wonder: "is there anything else to his leadership than imitating what other MMOs have done?"

That doesn't inspire much enthusiasm. And quite frankly frightens me, because FFXIV is quite an atypical MMO in many respects and I'm glad of it! I just hope he shows some restraint when he hacks away at the game with the pretense of standardising it.