Variance in player skill is hurting FFXIV's itemization design.

[Kallera]

snip.

When alexander came out, and even in the months afterward, players weren't shy in saying that its story was a weak aspect of the game, that bond villain goblins just didn't compare to a calamity causing dragon god that had possesed well known characters.

Some might not care that they released it as a video, but plenty of people, myself included, did. After months of being told to "watch a youtube video instead of playing the game" by others, trying anyway, and SE being mum, people trying to clear were furious. So story is still a major thing that keeps casual players interested, but putting it all behind a8s isn't the answer.