What a remember about FFXI quests were all the goods ones had little cutscenes and were not just solid walls of text, they either had a quirky sense of humor or a dramatic flair and a soundtrack to add to the building tension. Sure there were bad quests, but I don't remember those. I can fondly recall all the S.O.B. quests and everything with Shantotto and Nanaa Mihgo in it to name but a few. FFXIV just doesn't yet have that same appeal.

Quests used to mean something. They not only earned you items and gil, but granted you certain privileges, like the Kazham airship pass, allowing you access to the Elshimo Lowlands and all those sweet camping spots. Even some of the monotony I can look back with a smile, like collecting and turning in all those damned Yagudo necklaces for Faction points that would open up more of the game to me. That's what this game needs.

It could be little things that they add to the game. Like institute a penalty if Behests aren't being completed. The Battlewardens bemoan the sudden increase in the monster population and beseech you to help cull some of their blooming numbers. If Behests aren't being finished, then more feral enemies get added to an area with increasingly higher levels (up to a reasonable cap). Something that would effect the world at large, even if just a little.

Even if, at the end of every week, statistics get tallied for every city. Enemies killed, quests completed, craft materials made, items harvested/fished/mined, etc. The city that comes out ahead grants the residences of that city something, some of nice food, a long lasting buff, whatever.