Game is in a desperate need of challenge.

[L-D-Omlette]

Gimping yourself to create challenge isn't fun, content should be designed that way. Of course the reward has to fit the difficulty as well

I agree, content should be designed to be challenging. However, if you honestly think that there has to be some reward at the end of it, then you are only proving my point. You don't want the challenge, you want the trophy for beating said challenge. The only thing a trophy is good for is showing it off and hoping for awe from others. If it was for your own satisfaction you wouldn't need the trophy.

I don't care if that's your goal or not, I'm just calling a spade a spade. So again, don't pretend you want the challenge when you really want the recognition.

There are quite a few people like me that always go the easiest way:

Do I like fast travel in Skyrim? -> No, it ruins my "immersion"
Do I use it? -> Of course, it makes my life easier.
Do I stick to the game for a long time? -> Nope.

Same goes with T5 or AF2.. Since I just started playing again and my characters aren't geared due to the weekly cap do I even bother? No. iLvl90 craftable gear is on it's way.
Do I bother beating T5? Nope, I'll give it a shot when i90 gear comes

I'll ALWAYS take the easiest way. But don't get me wrong. I want the challenge. Make it hard and I'll try to beat it but when I have to make my own challenges (Skyrim w/o fast travel, Beating T5 with less than i90 gear that close to the patch etc) I just quit for a while like I did before

Which is all well and good, you're being honest with yourself. I'm merely stating that many, if not most, say they want a challenge, but are delusional about it.