You dont need the story.

[TaleraRistain]

I like the story, IMO it provides an element that, depending on the player, provides an important part of the game. Even WoW has a story.

That is something that people either forget or fail to recognize. MMOs have story. Even EverQuest had a story. Yeah it may have been flimsy and put together in places with duct tape, but there's a reason you're going on those raids. Same with WoW. There's a story to follow up to the point you take on the Lich King or Illidan. It's just not a required piece of the game like XIV.