I think keep ARR's content relevant (or rather "mandatory") for a new player is a plus for this game. A new player coming after one or two expansions will have the equivalent of three brand new games (to him!) to play. The concept of "only the end-game matter" is bad for the game and specially for us, gamers, because we steal ourselves the pleasure of experiencing the game, since most of us will just rush through it all, reaching the top and feeling the game didn't worth the subscription.