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So give me some more stuff that I missed that says they are not the same, with one being an upgrade to the other?
Again, some of those things you said are pretty far-reaching, lol.
FFXI is about large numbers of people banding together to do nearly everything in the game (though they were eventually forced to allow you to solo and call NPCs to help you), it was about the long slow grind, the game's quests were largely based upon cutscenes, the game had a very open sandbox type thing to it where you were permitted to go anywhere, do anything (until they released areas that required missions to be done to have access), with very little to tie the whole game together.
FFXIV is about smaller groups of people accomplishing their goals, many of which are meant to be done solo; the game has a Main Quest Line that explains most of why you're doing what you're doing (the storyline actually plays like an oldschool FF game almost!). XIV is a lot less "open sandbox-y" and more quest-driven (along with lots of random events you can take part in).
As far as the intended audiences, XI appeals to the people who don't mind a slow but long journey, the people who aren't concerned as much about the end as much as the things they'd do on the way there. The older people who aren't looking for an action-heavy game.
XIV appeals to the people who want to get leveled up faster, to enjoy "Endgame" faster and to see more action-packed intense but short fights.
Two very different audiences, those who love XI might not like XIV as much, and those who love XIV will probably get bored and fall asleep playing XI. I know a couple XI people who say that XIV's reliance upon fast reflexes makes the game purely not fun for them, and I know a lot of XIV people who say XI is way too slow and boring.
Two games aimed at two very different crowds. That's why they continue to exist simultaneously.
And then, a small third crowd of people play both, like me.
Edited, Oct 2nd 2014 4:41pm by Lyrailis