Before POTD it was "FATE or die" because that was the default straightest line between point A and point B. POTD was like a breath of fresh air when it came out because we didn't have to grind FATEs until our eyes bled. It's kind of ironic to me that people want that back now.
I definitely think they should keep FATEs relevant. I just don't think we're ever going to see FATE farms like OP mentions again because a lot of that was due to having no other choice. I thought the Shared FATE system was a good idea and also the exp boost they started putting in with SB FATEs. I think there will just naturally be a ceiling to their usefulness unless SE makes them the only option again. Which I don't see them doing, given the popularity of newer options.
