FFXIV does not need to be like FFXI

[Seiryuukishi]

I never got to play XI at the time of its release I was still in high school and was unable to pay for a sub on the meager wages I made from my 20 hour a week job. I wanted to badly. However after a time I forgot about MMOs in general. Were I able to play it then it would have been the first MMO I ever played. Fast Forward some years and LotRO comes out though until it went F2P I didn't know of it. I downloaded it and after a month of playing I started subbing. It was a lot like what you all describe XI to be in that things took time to acquire. Leveling was not quick at all and you did need people to help with things and a lot were willing to help. But after a time the dev team began to get sloppy. Fooling with things that were better left alone, not fixing bugs reported in expansion betas. Both of which really hit home for me after warner bros. took over the game from turbine. But I realized something. Progress sometimes has a cost that some are not willing to pay. (For you Skyrim enthusiasts out there) Paarthurnax said it best: "Tiid bo amatiiv. Time flows ever onward." Things are going to change regardless of whether you like it or not. It is up to you and you alone to decide if you wish to stick with it because ultimately no amount of petitions are going to grant you what the upper management will not grant permission for. Noble as your endeavor is, it is still in vain most likely. Even director/producer Yoshida has to answer to someone.

It's the same with XI's director/producer. I do understand what you feel. There have been times in ARR that I've caught myself wondering just how much things would be different if I had my tank from LotRO on here. Coil would be nothing to say the least. I could solo it. Then I have to look at it from a realistic perspective: this is not and never will be nor involve LotRO. It's the same with XI. It is okay to reminisce on things we loved about gaming experiences of the past but that's where the line gets drawn. Games have changed. For better or worse is for the individual to decide. Would some things that help you and others that wish for depth or greater challenge be a travesty? No. But you must look at the bigger picture. The domino effect as it were. Some are happy with the leisurely pace. I've done my hardcore raiding time in LotRO. I've more than proven my point that I can hold my own with the best of them. Now I want to enjoy both aspects, both casual and hardcore, at my leisure. When you ask for something that satisfies, let's say 12,000 players out of 3 million for example, how does that effect the others? Every piece of content has a toll. Some want desperately to clear SCOB but are unable to do so. So they get content like CT and ST plus things like Sol gear. This creates a balance as it were.

TL;DR summary:
When making suggestions you need to account for the domino effect as well as the pros and cons of the original proposal. What you wish for does not affect only you and those of like mind it affects everyone. Come up with counter balances that will aid those that are okay with proposed changes but may not have the time to dedicate to longer time sinks, etc. Friendly advice from a former military strategist. I wish you the best.