How can we get more in depth character customization?

[Ameela]

Except materia if functionally pointless in this game compared to FFVII. Can you learn a new spell? Gain a new summon? Enhance a skill?

And good thing it isn't because the materia system in VII made every character essentially indistinguishable aside from their limit breaks, you don't want that in an MMO.

I much prefer the way XIV handles materia and how you can customise your stats to your liking.