FF14 will end up being casual friendly.

I remember a guy in LotRO sitting in Moria 8 hrs after they released Two Towers, level capped, complaining how it was too easy. It doesn't make any difference how "hard" they make it, power gamers will mulch through content like ruthless pit bulls, ignoring all finesse with the sole objective of completion. No Developer wants 2 years of their life to be turned in to exper ticks and 12 hr marathon grinds on low graphics because it improves performance.