I think square has done a lot with crafters since 2014. I remember the days of Astral Gear and Vanya Silk and people from coil mocking crafters saying they would never be a viable part of the game because the game designers hated crafters.

I think for some people, crafting or gathering is their favorite part of the game. It is clear the time sink is huge. Final Fantasy historically has depended on Crafters for some of the better, and often best items and vehicles in the game, but they were largely NPCs, like Cid. I do agree something is slightly off between the RNG and the 4 star material prices. They really need to stop using Legacy/Mom's Basement Accounts as samples for what kind of money and resources/time people have to play their game.

If you only appeal to 8 otakus in a basement, you will lose everyone else.