Nieko said:
this looks like a remake of XI with prettier graphics and some ideas/effects redone with newer tech.... I was expecting an entirely different feel, not something I can already recognize and thoroughly understand from day 1.
The character advancement changes alone make FFXIV a far cry already from XI. This is going to be the deciding factor if I will continue to play XI or switch to XIV. The system almost sounds like an Elder Scrolls - FFIX hybrid, but there is no info on how your character physically grows (we Just know how skills increase and abilities are learned, physical growth is HP, Attributes, ect.) if there is no "Exp" the only way I can think of, is your character naturally grows with your skills. Like if you use a Sword, your STR, DEX, HP and other physical attributes increase. A staff, and your MP, INT and MND increase (Using FFXi attributes as the best analogous example available, the examples are arbitrary til we know more.)
If there is no "Job" Changing (Just titles depending on the skills/Equipment you are using) then one would imagine your power never decreases like in FFXI. Where if you switch jobs, you will be that jobs level, but this is just all speculation on my part.
Regarding the Guildleave system though, I really like it's conceptual design and presentation. Everything from the artistically drawn cards, to the mercenary contract-esque descriptions is a nice immersive touch, not an easy thing to do with an MMO. You can tell so far that this isn't just a shoehorned attempt to drain us for more money, someone behind those desks has passion about this.