Your friend would probably want to do those things if there was a purpose to doing them.

PVP: Not many in the FF MMO really care for it.
GC: They lost a significant purpose in ARR. They are nothing compared to what they were in 1.0. Just a pile of seals that can be used to purchase filler trash.
Chocobo: Outside of leveling your chocobo, or perhaps spiritbonding. What purpose does this have? It's not like it's required when leveling since everything is so easy.

They have content, but everything is bare bones to the point where it feels worthless doing it.