I'm a steam user but let me ask a few questions to clarify...

I always have steam open, and online. I also have turned off the overlay years ago for FFXIV. So if I'm always on steam (online) and have a tendency to launch via steam anyway will this in any way shape or impact me on that front? I did read that steam would HAVE to be online to launch it now which, if yesterday was any indication, wouldn't be possible now when steam went kaput for a short period. If so that's just an unnecessary restriction. If it worked before why break it now?

Not everyone uses steam for most everything like I do, let them keep their option. Having a login behind a login isn't a smart move.