I posted this in the thread about the aggro icon and didn't get much notice. So I thought I'd change it up a bit and see if I can get some responses and start a discusions.

I'd like to start off by saying that I believe there are changes that have taken place for this game and planned to take place that are alienating a specific crowd. I'll agree they may be a minority. FFXIV's next generation graphics and base idea has garnered itself a lot of attention from a larger audience then that of FFXI. Due to this a lot of suggestions and arguments being made for the game are leaving behind the people hoping for an innovative new game by the creators of a great game.

These next three paragraphs are about the new enemy icon changes. Just an example of the problems caused by the current casual direction of FFXIV.

Problems:
I think adding aggro icons and now this was and is a bad idea. I agree with the people that it makes the game too easy. To those who say turn it off: I don't think that creates an adventurous, immersive, or fair playing field. I want to know that my companions see the same thing I do when I play the game. Being able to turn this feature off is like if I hacked to make my rank 1 armor to look like a harlequinn's set; looks great to me but doesn't affect anyone else. To those who say this game focuses on casual players: I don't want to believe this game will ever definitively be solely casual. FFXI is one of the few MMORPGs that took the step to be different and tough. Thus it brought on a different crowd and still had a large player base. Targetting casual players means bigger competition for Final Fantasy XI. Every other MMORPG is very similar and targets casuals. Square Enix has proven they can make a game that is different, challenging and good. I want to see Square Enix do what they've proven to be one of the best at.

Solution:
As I understand that I can't persuade everyone to believe this game should be the same game I want it to be I offer a sort compromise: Keep color coded or some kind of basic check system like what we have. This creates a measure of ambiguity on enemy strength and ability keeping the sense of danger. Add a a libra type ability that allows you to check an enemy and display it's stats to the party. This could simply include making the level and aggro information display next to the enemy's name like the picture shown by the OP. This could also be much more advanced or have a version II that shows more about the enemy such as weaknesses, HP, MP, battle tips, etc. This ability can be awarded to a class such as ranger to give further class uniqueness and a reason for teamwork.

There are plenty more things I could name problems alienating the people whom I represent. Even though I can't say that the market ward changes weren't necessary due to them being very poorly implemented I can't say that I'm happy how it was fixed (Mabinogi has a world that is almost completely void of any item search feature). Enemies no longer following players removes special parts of the game's immersion. The fact that sheep crowded your vision and your targetting to an outrageous degree is a different design flaw and could've been fixed given more time and thinking outside the box a little bit.

When FFXI was created it was hardly the dawn of MMOs. The idea seemed to create an image of real life living in a fantasy realm where you can create your own final fantasy. Grinding was implemented as a way to keep subscribers and also a way of defining those who would work hardest for what they wanted. Games like World of Warcraft came about and created it's own version of the genre that focused on this grind and timesink functions. This was expanded on by a million more MMOs to make the grind funner and less stressful. Not that that creates a poor game, but let us not forget what FFXI was. The immersive and breathtaking world. A world that spoke of a real fantasy.

Plea:
I've always had a lot of hope for this game. Thought this would be my new home. When I played the alpha I was excited, in the beta I was more excited, when the game was released I just knew this game could only get better. It seems the development team is sadly moving the game in a direction that is leaving me, and the audience I represent, behind. I had faith that Square Enix was the one company that could make a game for us but now decisions are being made that throw me into doubt. Things that I liked are actually being taken away when I thought there was only room for improvement. Square Enix, please don't forget these fans.

Square Enix honor what it was you stood for. Bring back what it meant to live in a Final Fantasy. Not what it means to live in a modern MMO.