Yoshida discusses FFXIV and ARR at GDC 2014

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Here's a couple of articles about Yoshida discussing what happened with the original version of the game and how he revived it along with the FF franchise.

 

http://www.siliconera.com/2014/03/19/focus-graphics-killed-final-fantasy-xiv-heres-square-enix-revived/

 

http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/20/5527948/final-fantasy-14-killed-square-enix-stubbornness-realm-reborn-new-approach