I can sum up FFXIVs problems with itemization in two words... "Kraken Club".
Nobody. Absolutely Nobody in that game "NEEDED" it.

Yoshis response is absurd.

The differences in itemization in FFXI was so marginal that without the "Most amazing, over priced, rare gear available" you could still pull your weight. Having those things just made it a bit easier.

Which is basically I230 to casuals and I240 to raiders... except theres absolutely nothing special about the i240 except it has higher stats to pew pew harder.

I think what a lot of people want are just things that give a little edge and theres absolutely nothing wrong with everyone not having access to it.

I never owned a Kraken Club. I never even got the Rare/Ex or got to borrow one. But my class wasn't completely broken without it either.

It simply is the way video games are going now days. Dumbed down.