Request: I don't want to solo the main scenario

[Majidah]

I'd be willing to bet that 85% of the player base has no idea what's going on in the story. Completely oblivious to the fact that this is a numbered Final Fantasy title, people just want end-game content, which already has the team work element you want.

I think this has an easy solution though, just put some semi decent rewards at the end of hard boss battles. XI had those cool rings that were the best rings in the game. That enough of a reason for a player to actually care about beating it.

Don't get me wrong, I want more stuff similar to Final Fantasy XI (similar, not copy/pasted for all of you with easily bunched panties) in terms of story progression, instead of just trading in a bunch of seals to rank up. I want content, missions, dungeons to explore...

^^^^ This

but I also realize that it's 2012, and hardly anybody actually cares about that stuff anymore. It's all about getting the best gear so you can do the next thing to get the next best gear... It's sad.

I'm not sure why would anyone play a final fantasy title if it wasn't for the story; maybe the graphics? But one wouldn't just pick up XIV for the smooth gameplay. This puzzles me.
In any case, I think the answer isn't to dumb things down; I think that properly actor voicing every cut scene is kind of stepping from literature into cinema. Its more mainstream and up to the times. Doesn't mean they should sacrifice difficulty or content.

Yoshi said FFXIV was a theme park... it really feels like this sector of old school FF is getting left out. I honestly don't care about end-game or HNMs. I just want plot and epic fights that go with it.