But with the above being said it's pretty amazing how much SE has been listening to consumer input this gen, and the majority (it seems) or calling for ATB so I guess my prediction must be updated to 50-50 (ATB/ABS).

It won't be, and that's a smart and a good thing.

FFVIIR Turn-Based: Who will be buying it:
- Weaboos.
- Nostalgic adults.
- Fanboys


FFVIIR Action Based: Who will be buying it:
- Non-weaboos and weaboos.
- Some nostalgic adults.
- Fanboys
- Some Teenagers
- Some new people to the series
- Some non-nostalgic adults

See? This is a thing about logic. My logic.

Ok, but if you could forget them both entirely and play them as if it was your very first playthrough, would you? I know I would, for the wow factor.

We're both right, in a way.

Yes, but that is what I play new games for. When I play a remake of an older game usually it is for updated graphics, localization, and voice-acting. I prefer to have the gameplay stay generally the same, however, I don't mind if there are tweaks to make it more modern and streamlined. Changing FFVII to an ARPG would drastically change the experience. For example, in Action RPGs you only get to control one character. The appeal of Final Fantasy VII is that you get to choose your party and combine and customize them how you wish.  You can't do that if it is an ARPG, and I really am not interested in playing as Cloud only. Now I am not so nostalgic about FFVII, so I am not so invested. But if they remake FFVI (and I'm sure they will eventually) I would not want it to be an ARPG at all. 

It's impossible to play a game a second time as if it was the first. Unless you have the worse memory of all. But one can enjoy it just as much as the first time, for various reasons. 

Now, the fact that the team behind FF VII's remake is changing the battle system will do a great job into making it feel like a fresh new experience. Even if we know the plot, the fact that the gameplay will be updated or changed will make it more interesting than if they just made it the same with a shinier coat of paint. 

I think people should approach the game with an open mind, going into it as a new experience, rather than into a carbon copy of the original game with flashier visuals. Going into it with too many expectations, wishing for it to be the original, will only set you for disappointment. 

Treat it as if it was an entirely new game, I say.

Also good points. I guess we are all chasing after something, eh? If we weren't chasing after that magic we felt we wouldn't have called for a remake in the first place. I just want people to enjoy the game and I really hope people don't get too annoyed with the final product, whatever it is. I would sell my soul for a chance to play TLOU for the first time again yet I do not really like the idea of a sequel. I just need to let developers do their own thing and decide after it's released whether I like it or not. Back on topic, I'm not so sure an ATB system would fare very well in the remake, but then again I can't see an ARPG doing great either. Faith in the devs, right? :-p

Exactly, those are the points I am trying to make. We have had so many ports of the game in slightly shinier visuals that I think people would be surprised at how disappointing a copied game with updated visuals would be

There are enough action RPGs for the button mashers. It should use the ATB system that brought the game to the party in the first place.

If it's something like FF15 then I won't buy it. Simple as that, really.

To be honest though, I do want to have control over my entire party... I don't like A.I. only party members in RPGs.

Yea same. Damn it I keep second guessing my preference every 30 seconds