Why can't Dungeons be longer/harder, but more... piecework?

[Shurrikhan]

Considering they have chosen to lessen the amount of dungeons made per patch, I do not think it's realistic to expect more complex dungeon designs unless it comes at the cost of normal MSQ dungeons, which might be problematic for some. I also think the devs are content with how dungeons are used in this game, and its current and future design would only be to ensure the continuation of its current usage, unless they see a benefit to change the status quo.

And on a personal note, I don't care for optional enemies/rooms regardless of the reward. I want to be forced to full clear the dungeon, regardless of difficulty.

Given that more complex dungeons would be bordering on experimental or otherwise non-standard content, doesn't that fit right in line with what we're supposed to be getting at the expense of the standard dungeoning (hallway speedrun) experience?

As for the latter point, that's fair, and I'm probably more on your side in that regard, if only due to not particularly caring to backtrack (except in particular unique designs) preferring not to have to decide upon a route (again in most circumstances) and how that it means that more of the development time is spent on things we see every time, instead of allowing for potential waste (though there are some exceptions where the rare variant is more noticeable than that little extra detail in the main product, so that has exceptions as well).

[linay]

Given that more complex dungeons would be bordering on experimental or otherwise non-standard content, doesn't that fit right in line with what we're supposed to be getting at the expense of the standard dungeoning (hallway speedrun) experience?

That's why I'm not dismissing it entirely. I just think there will indeed be a cost somewhere, and the likelihood would be normal MSQ dungeons. And now that they're having one dungeon per patch, it is indeed the ideal time to experiment with dungeon.

But that's where my second point comes in: that the devs are likely content with how dungeons are used currently and would likely rather experiment with other types of content.