This game is on a terrible state right now.

[Shougun]

Which just makes their recent design decisions all the stranger. They're taking the game in a direction that by all indications is meant to appeal to a younger audience, yet it seems the bulk of the game's players are indeed at least in their late 20s.

Maybe missing something but ... I feel that's not quite the right take. Assuming older means more responsibilities, which I have heard Yoshida refer to aging players before in a similar concept, and personally feel.. wouldn't it actually make sense?

Not sure how you approached that determination. This is not a post to discount anyone's feedback or desires or even addresss them, just questioning how middle age player base is not targeted by casual choices but younger players are.

When I was younger it was easy to be hard-core, now I feel it's a waste of time and would not play a game that was like original EQ or FFXI, which I did before, and enjoyed, yet now I absolutely love safety nets and other modern amenities (I am aware FFXI has changed significantly).