That's really besides the point, though, on two counts.

First, it's standard in this day and age. SE not being able to meet MMO standards of the last few years with something as simple as character transfers and merges is not something for people to take comfort in.

Second, will some of the returns be unphased? Will some reroll anyway? Is that there plan and intent? Absolutely. Will some of the returning players want to rejoin their old friends and come back to all their hard work, their 50s, their holiday items, their unique toys? Absolutely. Is that potentially a large number, maybe even a majority of returning players? It's entirely plausible.

So it's the standard, and it's something many players would want. Why would SE want to risk alienating them, and why would anybody argue against having the option there to benefit the unarguable portion of the population who wants it? How can we possibly argue against meeting MMO standards and making people happy by allowing them to continue playing with their friends with their earned levels and rewards when it comes to XIV?