I want to preface with saying I think it's awesome the development team is finding passion in continuing to add things to this game. It's awesome that players are still around.
However... very respectfully I think casual and returnee players have received a lot lately. I think it would benefit the game in the long term to take a break from adding new Ambuscade Vol. 2, mounts, cute furniture, etc.
There are jobs that still need updates and systems in place like Elemental Magic resistance that feel very antiquated when you have huge burst magic weaponskills now. This would also breathe life into existing content as players would find new strategies.
Crafting and the economy is the worse it has ever been. The market is completely saturated in duplicated Dynamis medals, botted crafting shields and exploited Su5 weapons and +2 necks. Which makes it seem like the content is being completed naturally more than it actually is.
There is a big divide in the FFXI community which is why so many players gravitate to casual things like Ambuscade Vol 2 they can do alone. The gear ladder makes no sense with everything being augmented and item levels stalled at 119 but content goes to 150.
Odyssey: It has no story reason for being there. It feels empty and not beneficial enough to take groups inside or combat Notorious Monsters. I know there's a coming update but I hope you take that in mind. It's so hollow currently, it feels like Walk of Echoes without the casual group community.
I'd like to see fostering bringing the community together more.