Im kinda just skimming this thread here but i have two things to add:

the Active Time Battle system is an awesome tradition in FF, dont see any reason to abandon it (before you call me out, it seems to me all FF's battle systems are somewhat derived from this concept). Its a more strategic, thoughtful battle system and I for one have loved it since I first encountered it. To go shooter-style is just not FF imo

And not to mention, if you want a point and shoot...you need something to point with. You really want to dedicate one of your two hands to aiming with a mouse in a text-heavy mmorpg? It would basically make voice chat mandatory >.<; eff that shit.