Is FFXIV viable as an MMORPG without doing end-game & raiding?

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

Thank you for the clarifications. And I wholeheartedly believe that there can in fact be a balance among them. The wild card of course, is players.

Anything that is not tailored to be or supportive of leveling can essentially be considered endgame or side content. Things like Hildibrand cases, the Gold Saucer, even the Diadem in some cases. But bear in mind some may not like Hildibrand or may completely ignore certain content (I've got lots of cards, but have only maybe played less than 10 Triple Triad matches). SE can only provide the content or adjust it based on player feedback. Thus, the players are the true variable in the equation.

Using myself as example again, my FC knows I absolutely love the challenging stuff more than anything. Not much of a crafter (most of them are) and gathering's kind of a Zen thing for me that I do recreationally. I've left a standing offer with my crafter friends to call on me if they need Coil/primal mats. I'm more than happy to get them. In return, they are happy to furnish/supply my efforts. In reverse, for the sake of leveling my gathering and support their crafts, I'm willing to get whatever they need and more often than not, I'm requesting crafts for my late night hobby of interior design anyways.

It's not perfect, but it's a circle of life easily replicated by the community as a whole, thus making endgame an almost self-sustaining thing, even with the human variables.