I agree. Actually, since the FFXIV seems to already have it's path decided to follow FFXI style and to become completely different from the original FFXIV, right now i'm trying to use the first anniversary date to try and suggest them to actually split the FFXIV in 2 games...leave the current FFXIV, that will follow the FFXI steps and become a battle-based game as FFXIV and resuming the beta test for the orignal FFXIV as a spin-off game of FFXIV.

In the end it would be a win-win deal. Those who like the path the dev team is taking would stick with FFXIV and those who liked the stressfree, casual-friendly proposal of the original FFXIV could just stick with the spin-off game. In the end this would be good for the current dev team because would greatly increase the acceptance of the chances, would be good for the original FFXIV since now people know what to expect from it, also offering it this time a playerbase that is looking foward to that game and not seeking a FFXI-2, and to SE itself since not only the original FFXIV is already "complete enough" to go straight to beta phase but also would be an extra opportunity to keep players willing to pay subscription fee.

I do think that resuming the original FFXIV beta test in like 1~2 servers (since the population that approved it seems a to be minority tight now) would be an extremely good idea...and in the end it would just turn out to be a 3rd global MMO from SE based on FF serie...even if just as a spin-off. Dirge of Cerberus, Dissidia, FFT serie...they're all spin-off games and still are just as good as any game from FF main serie.

I support the idea of SE resuming the original FFXIV as a spin-off game and i would gladly migrate to it if it ever happen.