Agree with the OP. It is a crying shame that this detailed, well-designed element is being trashed in favour of a simpler version.

Don't get me wrong, crafting needed an overhaul, but only as far as changing some of the parts recipes' level requirements. It was frustrating gathering and crafting 90% of the items to make a tool or piece of armour for your level, only to find that 10% of the ingredients could only be crafted at +20 levels. I presume this was designed this way to increase trade and encourage building friendships with higher level crafters, but in practise it was irritating.

If the team are insistent on following other 'more successful' MMORPGs' crafting routes then at least I can look forward to the possibility that I can mass-craft these 297 Cotton Bolls I've got hanging round...