I havent played in a couple weeks, neither has a friend who i got into ffxiv at the start of 1.19. The main problem we both have is the content that's available. Its all very dull and meaningless, except ifrit, im hoping the new combat system will introduce teamwork which might make group leveling enjoyable. As of right now team work consists of pulling a group and having mages aoe everything before i can draw my sword as melee, its not very fun.

I remember when i first played wow in its earlier years, there were 3 reasons i got hooked.

1.Solo and group leveling was available and enjoyable.
(solo and group leveling exist but neither are fun)

2. Gear grind- Early WoW had 5-6 instances to obtain gear from and Molten Core as a raid dungeon. The gear grind consisted of getting your "rare" gear, then fighting through MC for epic gear. Couple months later a new raid dungeon would be released and we would continue. Right now my gear grind consists of 2 things crafting and materia. Crafting is the best way of obtaining materia and is also the best gear in game.

3. PvP
This game has no side content to be interested in like pvp, so the only 2 things left are the 1st 2 things i mentioned, and lets be honest only the hardcore of the hardcore (botters) have 50 crafts. My main grind for gear that i use in battle I obtain through crafting and there is something really wrong with that system.

I made a thread about improving strongholds to cater to a battle materia grind but it was probably a waste of forum space.

Basicly what im trying to say is the reason people are no longer playing is because the only valid content in game is crafting, and aside from some achievment loot this will not change in 1.20