That all sounds very badly handled, especially with Final Fantasy XIV on the horizon now - no sense driving off the hard core of players who've stuck with FF XI and endured PlayOnline for years.

Multiple-account-holders (/character slot purchasers) are pretty much the hardest of that stalwart core too, so it would seem horribly naive they are going to give another FF MMO a chance EVER again after having however many thousands of hours wiped out.

Why would anyone want to rock the community of a seven year old game with a sequel incoming?
In their position it'd seem prudent to just accept any money rolling in, whether players want to conga through the towns naked or sit and watch paint dry.