It is pretty much the downfall of any WoW clone MMO and this one is looking like it won't be any different, it's simply part of the model everyone follows these days because apparently it works enough, until they all go F2P except for the master template itself. Too much of a focus on weekly locked out raids or in the case of this game, just a single measly raid, and the rest of the content is just a side order of vanity content. This consequently adds even more opportunities to monetize both aspects especially on vanity, and companies sure do love their money.

In ARR's case the issue is bigger because it only offers one single piece of relevant raid content divided into 4 boss battles and only every 6 months. The rest of the side content leans far too much into the "optional" vanity aspect or is simply relegated to catch up. That is, the main reason to run side content, a big chunk which has already been outdated and obsoleted, is to get vanity. I guess you could also run it for "fun" and to remember the good old days when they were introduced, and of course to cap tokens.

For example, you can grind all these crafts to be able to craft all these new items, only to find the majority of them are simply more vanity. Sure some of the gear and accessories might be ok with materia, at least for the first weeks or even the first month, but that's just if you want to min max to be amongst the first groups to beat the new Coil, otherwise the new tome and Coil gear is superior in almost every way if you can wait enough. Gathering so you can gather rare items to craft vanity or get minions. Gardening mostly only offers rare mats to craft vanity or get minions which themselves are vanity. Chocobo training offers barding and I guess faster and easier SB and maps. Housing is just a big vanity thing in itself. Older Primals to desynth their weapons and accessories to craft even more vanity or get ponies in the EX versions, in the case of Ramuh EX to get vanity weapons and a catch up ring and Shiva to get a catch up/vanity 110 weapon, and a nice 120 bracelet I'll give it that. Most dailies to get minions and mounts, and I'll admit the nice stories, and Ixali quests to get items to craft gear to craft more vanity. CT to get desynths and vanity, ST for catchup gear enhancing items and more vanity. First Coil for vanity and vanity mats and of course story. Second Coil for catchup gear and items, and yes the story too. PvP for vanity gear and I guess because it is fun with a good group.

Really it all comes down to not having enough to do in both the progression camp and the side content camp, not enough sidegrades and side content that might not be a raid but also allows for equal progression. Funnily enough, 1.0 started having a decentish semblance of that with GC, Hamlet, Skirmish, the way old primals worked, Beastmen Strongholds, all taken out in favor of a single path: Coil progression and vanity. Much easier to monetize on.