I think the biggest issue of 4.0 PVP can be easily summarized by a single statement: Square Enix is determined to make it appealing to a majority of players who are not interested in the mode for anything beyond superficial rewards. That's it. There's no greater agenda or hidden depth of meaning. The simplification, the no-chat, the increasing focus on PVE elements/objectives - these are all designed to cater to a group of people who will only continue to do PVP as long as it's their fastest avenue to glamours, mounts, and PVE exp.

I've kind of given up caring about bads, or casuals, or whatever you want to call them. I never flame, I don't care if people are new and struggling and seemingly dumber than a box of rocks. But I DO start to care when that starts creeping over into game design, and that's what's been happening to PVP in this game for about the past year and a half now.