Item levels.

[Obysuca]

But why do we have them so early in the game's life?

I just think it's a lazy way for them to never raise the cap. (Not that they need to this early anyways, shame on all of you (you know who I mean) who are asking if the cap is going up soon / asked in 2.1)

"Raise the cap? Nah, here's 10 more ilvl instead"

I'm sure it's also so people can tell what's "better" without having much thought and having to compare gear, which kind of sucks, so many people want mmos with no thought in them now :/