The new player experience and how FFXIV fails as an MMO.

[PyurBlue]

I'll admit, I'm confused.

I mean, what exactly drew some people to the game? It blatantly advertises itself as a story-driven experience - hell, this is what anyone curious about the game sees if/when they visit the FFXIV promotional website

That is only one part of the page underneath "Adventure awaits you under the horizon" and above "Adventure is what you make of it", both of which seem to imply more free form gameplay.

Even taken in isolation I wouldn't say that the Live Your Story section implies a story focus above all else, nor does it imply that the story gates all other content.

While the story itself has some merits, the way MSQ is structured is absolutely stupidly boring and mind-numbing. I do agree that you should be able to play with your friends a greater portion of the MSQ, but it also makes sense why those instances are solo, since it's your story.

Even in your solo story and instances, you interact with many other people. The story is also very tightly controlled so I don't see a good reason why other players couldn't be a part of it while being kept out of the spotlight. This is essentially what happens in dungeons.

[Absurdity]

Even taken in isolation I wouldn't say that the Live Your Story section implies a story focus above all else, nor does it imply that the story gates all other content.

If I wanted to be uncharitable I could also call the "Live your story" tagline misleading.
You're not playing "your" story, you're playing the Warrior of Light's story. A pre-defined character whose personality, reactions and decisions you have no control or even influence over.

Now obviously I didn't go into the game expecting that, but the tagline might give someone the wrong idea, when "Live your story" really only pertains to everything you do outside of the actual game story.