All they've said is they just feel there aren't enough mages yet. I'm reserving judgment on SMN until I actually see it in action, as I wasn't particularly keen on seeing a repeat of FFXI and much more in favor of the traditional offline style of play - strategic use of summons (due to large MP costs) to swing the tide of battle in the party's favor with various flashy and extremely powerful effects. Of course, the typical response I see to that is you'd be killing BLM, but BLM has always been designed for steady, high impact attacks - SMN might be able to out damage a BLM in a single shot, but a BLM will always win out in MP efficiency vs a single target - that's the whole point. SMN is utility, BLM is for making shit dead.
Anyway. I just hope they don't gimp SMN in this like they did in XI. The job's gotten better since Abyssea, but it's still been flawed since it's inception. I'm really hoping SMN can still use things like Hellfire & Aerial Blast, maybe just not as powerful as they would be coming from the actual Primal. Please, just don't rehash Astral Flow... nobody wants that.
As far as RDM is concerned, I never really cared for the direction they took the job in with XI, and I sincerely hope they are rethinking it from when they asked in the polls - We sorely do need more enfeebling skills, but I think we'd be better served spread it out between WHM & BLM, and possibly DRK if it's ever added.
No more pink mage/refresh whore please. If you bring RDM back, at least try to make it similar to how BLU was done? BLU was much better designed as a "Fighter-Mage", and Red Wizard (FF1) was just amazing.
EDIT: Okay, here's how I personally see RDM working.
Base Class: Gladiator
Sub Class: Thaumaturge
Extra Skills: Conjurer
Allow RDM to use Cure/Cura/Thunder/Thundara etc, just not the final tier spells so they can still combo and be effective, just not as good as WHM or BLM would because they're not supposed to be. We should have new Epee-type swords/sabers that are RDM exclusive as well (can't use them as just GLA).
Job Skills:
- Refresh: Recovers MP over time (spell, targetable)
- Regain: Recovers TP over time (spell, targetable)
- Fast Cast: When active, reduces casting and recast times for spells. Reduces magic accuracy slightly. Effect ends upon re-use.
- Death Blossom: 3-fold sword weaponskill that reduces enemy's magic evasion. Combo Action: Swift Blade, Combo: Greatly reduces enemy's magic critical evasion
- Chainspell: Cast & Recast timers for all spells set to 0 for duration (15 seconds) and their MP costs halved.
So rather than just rehashing how it was in XI, this way RDM would really be a frontline mage, offering a balance of damage and support without stepping on WHM or BLM's toes, as well as bringing it's own unique abilities to the fray.