the devs already confirmed that they are looking into putting exp chains (like FFXI) back into the game. My outlook is that leves are now optimized for the solo casual player and they will be introducing "special leves" + optimized grind areas (much like Tam-Tara/Treespeak Efts and Boulder Downs/Ever Lakes Raptors) for parties to grind in + Frontier Hubs for quest grinding.

Good things are coming.