I don't see SE making the msq optional too much emphasis has been placed on it over the years, remember the demand for raid story to be more accessible so normal mode was created in HW due to 1.x msq conclusion being behind final coil, The story matters in this game a lot more than other MMORPGs and i like it because of it. Now if you just want to do end game stuff that is fine you do you but i'm going to enjoy everything as i walk through the fields rather than run.

Though if msq became optional you should shouldn't see the can't beat original Steps of Faith, Sadu or Zenos threads again, msq is currently the only way the devs can enforce some sort of gear/skill check (even if they are light) onto players something some people wish they would be harder on