Quote Originally Posted by Xoriam View Post

I'm guessing this is probably you're first final fantasy if you don't understand the concept just from the name alone. It's not similar to hunts.
Actually, I've played every single one of them except for 3, in addition to plethoras of others that run on the mechanic you're talking about.
However, the concept doesn't work the same in an open world game or just MMOs in general, so I am trying to reason what you want MECHANICALLY. The screen flashing randomly and loading a special area where you fight things will never EVER happen.
It would strain the servers because of loading new areas, it would break immersion, and it's more trouble than just spawning some mobs to kill.
The old method of random encounter was, as mentioned, a mask because integrating the battle and exploration systems was a pain or impossible with the hardware they had at the time.