Yeah, I've seen that alot lately..,
it's perfectly fine to ask for Rewards.., but when it comes to EXP, specially that, In a Roulette. People have no right to game it, or ditch.[like in the past with Castrum Meridianum]

There's only so much that Rewards can do to get people to partake.
and it cant/shouldn't be accumulated on the high end always.

The system and the gameplay are what carries it for longer if there is no Rewards.
[this applies to PVP as well..,]

Can't say when the reward chasing really began.., but it's been there for way long..,
Even before Cutscenes being forced.