remember the progression and content options FFXI had at japanese launch, and for the first 6-8 months or so after NA launch?

no?

(that's because it wasn't there)

i know the game is lacking in certain areas and i know it needs more content and needs this and needs that, but it's just weird when people directly compare particular aspects of the game to FFXI, seemingly not realizing this game has only been around for a little over a year, and that it actually took FFXI a lot longer than a year to really get the ball rolling.

ask any of the japanese players and importers about their pre-NA launch experience with FFXI.

Rome wasn't built in a day, neither will FFXIV be.