I knew I recognized this guy from somewhere ...

[Iscah]

The only commonality would be the people.

That line itself might be a tripping point for understanding that it isn't a mirror world!

From context I assume that's "people" as in races rather than individuals, but it could easily be mis-read.

[Anonymoose]

That line itself might be a tripping point for understanding that it isn't a mirror world!

I had a similar concern, but the fact he followed it up with something that precludes that interpretation helps. How can the world be all the same people if they don't have the same heritage? How can you change all the ancestors without changing all the descendants? How can you change their beliefs and values without butterfly effecting what they'll do and who they'll be attracted to? And thus who will be born and die? We should be expecting a completely different population with completely different families, family names, tribes, geographical boundaries, etc.

I think when Yoshida says "the people" will be the same, it should be pretty clear that he means "we're still limited to using the same character creator."