FFXI is long over due a new expansion package, especially sinceWotG has been concluded. Ive read alot of forums about this and the general consenus is:

  1. There hasnt been any desent new areas to explore since ToAU was launched as both Wotg and Abyssea was simply re-purposed old zones, save a few exceptions
  2. Large areas are referred to in both CoP and Wotg which are yet explorable and if FFXI shutsdown before the see the homeland of the Mithra, Orcs, Yagudo, Gigas and Tenzen this will be very sad
  3. That there seems to be a lack of commitment on SE's part to ther longer term future to FFXI since they have made post lv75 leveling insanely easy, while failing to introduce any meaningful storyline based battles to challenge post 75 players, other than the conclusion of WotG, come on CoP is insanely easy now.