@OP

A constructive post that directly targets an actual issue. Good Job.

I have been planning to make a thread that deals with this issue specifically, but Unique Untradeable gear being the more desireable (not the best gear but most sought after) destroys the crafting system in proportion to how easily obtained and how good the untradeable gear is. These two inconsistent and competing gear systems work against each other and essentially make each other irrelevant in degrees.

Every time new Unique Untradeable gear is added, the significance or importance of crafters is diminished. The Devs HAVE to eliminate Unique Untradeable gear or risk making crafters and the materia system completely irrelevant.

Now, dungeons are interesting; but, because they are separated from the game world themselves and usually found in secluded areas (like caves) the danger to Eorzea is seemingly eliminated. Getting some more battles in the actual world itself would be a bonus.

As for Yoshi's philosophy when it comes to MMOs, he has it perfect. The Theme Park reference is essentially the ideal. MMOs incorporate many different types of gameplay that bring together lots of different people. Each mode of gameplay is separate, but linked together with the others. Unique Untradeable gear is an example where the link is severed and the philosophy is broken down.