I get your point, but the story focus is what makes FFXIV special. "Condensing" it too much might render it bland and feed the wrong kind of player mindset.

Most MMORPGs simply forsake the "RPG" part and just work on this "rush to cap" mindset. Take WoW as an example: For all most players care, Blizzard could delete the open world and create just a "lobby" where you select your characters and queue for dungeons and raids, like they do with MOBAs or shooters. The story is just an obstacle preventing you to play the "real" game. That's the mindset of the players and devs alike, and I for one wouldn't want that here.