I have a few issues with the end game.

[Tiggy]

I played FFXI, granted I quit long before this game came out. In any case, everything I ever did in that game was either 1. Leveling up, 2. Obtaining gear, 3. Obtaining gil so I can purchase more gear. Again, I think I quit after the expansion that came after Rise of the Zilart came out, so I don't have much experience past that point. I didn't really view fishing or camping monsters (for gear) as content though, which were popular passtimes back when I played.

Regardless of whether you consider content or not doesn't change the fact that it was indeed something you could spend time doing in order to obtain gear. By most definitions it is content. Also, everywhere but Japan released with Rise of the Zilart packaged in. You must mean Chains of Promathia.