It's funny because this is how MMOs will be for either a long time or forever from here on out.
These are the standards the majority wants, so these are the standards the majority gets.

So until the tables turn in favor of the super hardcore, the treadmill/recycling/hand-out
games will continue. Either play, or don't. A game like XI will never happen again.
Not in this day and age.

And just to clarify, I am enjoying XIV very, very much. I look forward to 2.16 and
2.2