Elves are usually one of the most popular choices as a playable race in an MMO. The fact that they aren't in FFXIV is solid proof that their design choices involve major flaws.

Back when I played WoW, I focused largely on playing Blood Elves and Night Elves. I liked how they looked distinct from humans but in a way that was attractive. They were both fairly well-built, too, which helped cement my choice. I'm hoping the development team realise that the demand for ugly male characters and men dressing up in feminine/androgynous attire just isn't very high and that the vast majority of people playing male characters simply want more good looking, conventionally attractive options.

Hopefully that means we'll soon start seeing more additions along the lines of the stubble sported by the Warrior of Darkness in promotional footage.