Yes, there are some things this game could use from XI that would make this game better. Yes there are things that this game is doing good already and could be expanded on to make better. Yes there are good ideas that no one's even thought of yet that could be revolutionary. Honestly sometimes I think the devs listen to us too much, and all the pandering is going to turn this game into mushy goop instead of a cake.

But back on topic of the thread. I do think there should be unlockable endgame areas that require at least SOME challenge to access. That feeling when I first stepped into Tu'Lia or Al'taieu after all the challenge it took to get there (besides the fact that the zones themselves looked breathtaking) was really memorable and satisfying. Getting to Sea was probably my favorite accomplishment in my video gaming history.

Maybe the quest series to get these unlockable zones could be Grand Company related (and therefore group based/optional), with final endgame zones similar to Sky and Sea. The rewards for getting to these endgame zones would be similar to Sky and Sea, with hard NMs, master level dungeons, and loot that reflects the difficulty. But unlike XI, there wouldn't be hours of camping, horrendous drop rates for farming, or one-pop-one-chance NMs.

It would not be for everyone, it would not need to be for everyone.

I dunno, just a thought.