To be fair, Tanaka already stated in the interviews the year before release that he (unlike on XI) wasn't directing the work all that much, wanting the younger guys making their vision of a great MMO. Of course, this doesn't mean he isn't partly to blame, it might have been a poor decision leaving everything to the team with minimal direction, on the other hand I guess it was a gamble, and a chance to make something new.

Whatever the reason for the ffxiv debacle, it's sad that SE are losing yet another long time contributor, who has made many great games. Hope he will enjoy his new work, and gets to creat the new title he wanted too.