I think what a lot of people here fail to understand is that the MSQ backbone of this game and it's mandatory completion actually put a lot of people off from playing it. I have friends who just won't even entertain this game after I warned them they have to complete the MSQ. I myself have stalled on this game having originally played back in 2.0, I now find myself really struggling to finish the MSQ. I even pre-ordered Endwalker and I have still yet to finish it (just beaten the 2nd trial). If I had the option to buy a story skip I would have taken it months ago and would have been enjoying the level 90 content for months, as it stands now though I just can't be bothered to do MSQ after work and choose something else I enjoy more with my free time.

I just don't enjoy the MSQ, I know others do so I'm not knocking it, it's just not for me, or my friends. This is an issue that is only going to get worse as well unless they change things up a bit, as it stands now you either have to slog through 500 hours of game just to catch up, or drop cash on a Shadowbringers skip then spend 100 hours or so to catch up. Convincing friends to do that, on a game they might not even like, is a very hard sell. Imagine in 10 years when it's more like 1000 hours, it just won't happen.

I know for some people the story is sacrosanct, and good for you, just ease up on the lecturing of those who don't really gel with it. Nothing is for everyone, and for many people the idea of slogging through so much story before they can play with all the other kids is a complete non-starter.