Why is Crafting still in the game?

[odintius]

I feel bad for crafters, reading this thread it would seem they are playing the completely wrong game.

Crafting should only ever reach end game heights in 1 player games. In a game like FF14, where the game depends on people running content to improve, and depends on said peoples determination to learn the content and succeed at it also, what sense does it make for end game standard equipment to come from crafting? Which doesn't require skill and doesn't require to participate in the content.

I don't think crafter's should be making end game gear either since it a vertical progression on gear anyways. But crafter's should be used in away for end game gear to provided a horizontal progression like able to unlock two materia slot and attaching job specific materia would add depth to the system imo.