While yes there are few games that even attempt to strike a balance.

Why can't they put difficult content in FFXIV at the same time as appealing the casual hordes that throw their money at games like SWTOR and WoW?

It probably isn't going to be a pure MMORPG experience like FFXI, but that doesn't mean that those who enjoyed FFXI can't have content in FFXIV developed for them. They have said this was their plan, why refuse to believe that?

If you look at the current state and direction of the game, Yoshida gave us:
  • EXP chains, and linking bonuses
  • Battle system w/ combos and which will still have a "battle regimen system" in the future
  • Current enmity system (meaning effective hate management consists of more than pushing a couple of buttons)
  • Current MP management system (meaning you have to)

So as a fan of FFXI, I feel the game continues to improve since launch for me too.


Not every XI fan might like all of those things, but that is who those systems were designed appeal to. The hardcore "I don't want to mash a single button and get everything handed to me" crowd. So you have promises made by Yoshida of difficult in-depth content for fans of XI-style MMO gaming (in the interviews after the 2.0 announcement). You have examples of him also implementing some of those ideas and concepts reflecting that style and design philosophy in the current build.

Casual MMO players are definitely getting their way, but that doesn't necessarily mean people who like the style of MMO's represented by XI can't possibly get ours too. It doesn't have to be dichotomy between the two sides.