Hmm. Tabita mentioned XV being "standalone" and changes in the same sentence, almost like those two ideas were made at the same time. I have a theory.

Nomura probably originally planned for a Versus-2 and a Versus-3, with an all male first game, all female second, and then a final game to bring all the characters together. The first two games would be kinda like a locker-room, giving players a better sense of intra-party chemistry between the sexes. Something along the lines of "the player picks up on characters being both reserved and attracted." Think about it; we've heard multiple times that comradery is a big deal for XV and that sequels would "probably happen for most Final Fantasy games." This also might tie into the "Versus" title, which may imply the party was initially divided.

When S-E changed it over to XV, they probably ditched the multiple titles, and with it scrapped the plans for the female party. As the locker-room chemistry was essential for what they already had planned, they opted to stick with all male characters.

I think that would explain a lot.

Hum... No. Nomura probably didn't originally plan any of this.

No the thing is people arent realizing that we are in for another round of FF13. Stella was a huge character and it is evident in the versus trailer, And even in 2013 re-reveal, trailer opens with stella and noctic not the backstreet boys. Infact stella and Noctis were the only character to have been properly introduced, and there was even promo anime featuring stella introducing the game (this was only for TGS) this is how important she was.. and this is not the only changes they made to versus, they almost changed everything which made it a unique ff and a departure from the abomination was ff13

Character Switching is gone, you only play Noctis now.

Blood seems to be gone, instead there is an oil like substance.

Combat is no longer like Kingdom Hearts.

World Map seems to be gone, now it seems to be a more western style open world.

The ability to equip all weapon types is gone, or at least vastly changed so it is not the same (guns and such are out).

Manual in combat weapon changing seems to have been replaced with decks.

Character switching Combos are gone(You can combo your attacks across character changes — that is, you can keep your combo going when you switch the character you’re currently controlling.)

Three member party, it is now four.

Hitting enemies with your car seems to be gone."

What was thrown out? Did you not watch the video? Tabata is incorporating all that he can from the original story to the final version of FF XV. CHanges were made but the whole idea is the same. They just changed some of the old ideas and made something else in XV. 

You pretty much nailed the OP with that video.

yup no this was not the plan, infact i never heard Nomura mention of having sequel to this story, although he had mention of playing the gane from someone else's perspective, and the strongest contender that someone else could have been Stella.

"Balthier was sidelined to make way for Vaan, a composite creation made of teen girl dreams and marketing man visions,vanilla to the bone." (Vol. 209, p. 110) Edge Magazine. He was the main character at a time, but they decided to go with Vaan for some odd ass reason. Though there is evidence that suggests both Balthier and Basch were at one point considered the main character.

Stella was freaking huge part of the story, entire versus was riding on noctis and stella's equation. and not to mention changes to combat system the tone. "And Tabata is incorporating all that he can from the original" the only thing i see him incorporating  from the original are Noctics, his friends and the beast. rest every thing has been changed.

I hope it's better. Fans have waited far too long for this shit.

You don't know the half of it. The latest rumors suggest they will stray even further from Nomura's original vision by actually releasing a video game. The nerve of these guys.