Why refusing customization is a fallacy

[Reynhart]

Then its happening. Just not as fast as you would probably like. With the first expansion alone we can see it beginning, best example I can give is the WAR. Before the expansion I could tank, and that was a bout it. I could take off defiance to do a little bit more damage with my "DPS" rotation but ultimately all i could do is tank. But now with the new "stance" (i keep forgetting what its called) I can output some serious damage, perhaps even outdoing the MCH .

That's not the same...because every WAR will still be the same.
It's not like you had to really "chose" if you want to specialize as a "Defiance" WAR or a "Deliverance" WAR. You're both, and every WAR is both.

The nice thing is how unexpectedly popular the game was is it happened much quicker than expected. [...]When your last attempt failed so miserably (1.0) it would be absolutely foolish to take a second run at it at full bore. Rather than trying to shatter records, they were hoping for at least a make the qualifiers

Don't get me wrong, I totally understand why they made FFXIV like this, and I love what the game has become (Mind you, I also think than 1.0 had several interesting ideas, but, eh, too bad)
Problem is, people put less and less time in game these days. Everybody wants everything NOW. And if you give them exatcly that, you pretty much can't go backwards, because the backlash would be even stronger.

For example, FFXI was atrocious with its quests. FFXIV offers you anything you need to know. So, they made just a little few quests where you really have to think and search (Like the broom quests).
First reaction ? "What are these bulls**t quests ?!"...sad

Were you present when the removal of the elemental wheel was explained?

Yes, I was, and I still thinks it's the same fallacy as the lack of customization. Back in 2.0, the strat for Ifrit Hard was to use caster LB to destroy all the nails before Hellfire. So, even if Ifrit took reduced damage from Fire or Ifrit-egi, you'd still took at least a SMN or a BLM in your party. And that also wouldn't have been a problem for BLM, hadn't they decide that the only "damaging" spells would be the Fire line.