so why the devs never use 90% of the content for end game?

[DPZ2]

They would do well to look at how the likes of WoW, ESO and Lost Ark make use of their open worlds. Encouraging players to explore and uncover hidden secrets isn't a bad thing and helps make FFXIV's zones have more relevance beyond occasional MSQ quests and gathering nodes.

I don't know ... exploration in the MMOs you've mentioned is pretty, um, down on the list of things to do. And if it has some rewards to make it worth doing, there are add-ons (WoW/ESO) to tell you exactly where to go, or you can look it up on wowhead or the ESO/Lost Ark equivalents, so it's not really "exploration". It's making a list and checking it twice.

I'm assuming Theodric finished the sightseeing log without consulting one of the many websites that list every one of them.

[Theodric]

I don't know ... exploration in the MMOs you've mentioned is pretty, um, down on the list of things to do. And if it has some rewards to make it worth doing, there are add-ons (WoW/ESO) to tell you exactly where to go, or you can look it up on wowhead or the ESO/Lost Ark equivalents, so it's not really "exploration". It's making a list and checking it twice.

I'm assuming Theodric finished the sightseeing log without consulting one of the many websites that list every one of them.

Why does it matter if some people resort to a guide to find out how to do something? How is that any different to people choosing to look at a guide before stepping into a raid?

A large part of the appeal of fantasy settings resides in exploration and immersion. FFXIV struggles immensely with that by virtue of having very little reason to engage with the open world.

Not everybody makes use of a guide - nor is all open world content even based around using one. See the way in which a player can pick a direction and run in ESO and find treasure chests, thieves troves and skyshards amongst other things.

One of my favourite quests in ARR was hidden - involving handing over an item to an NPC in exchange for a minion. I stumbled across it by chance and to my knowledge there's only been one other quest like it since - in Il Mheg.

Equally, I had a lot of fun back when I played WoW and stumbled across hidden quests through item drops or delving into hidden cave entrances. Perhaps it would be best for some not to assume how others play, especially if they're advocating for something they're actively passionate about.

[DPZ2]

FFXIV struggles immensely with that by virtue of having very little reason to engage with the open world.

FATEs.
Daily hunts.
Monster trains.
Materials farming.
Role-play.
Parties at the beach.
Sightseeing logs.
Screenshots.

There are things to do in the open world. That they don't appeal to those who are jaded in a "been there, done that, so I don't need to do it anymore" kind of way does not equal "[players] have very little reason to engage with the open world". The reasons are there already. Participation is optional.

[Y2K21]

Role-play.
Parties at the beach.
Screenshots.

I am questionable about counting these things -- as they dont really interact with the open world but more use them as a prop for their own drive (especially since three of these are more server dependent than anything else). I think what Theodoric is asking for is more open World content or more meaningful content with FATEs and Hunts than just what they are now.

EDIT: Also parties at beaches and RP are mostly also the same thing.

[Y2K21]

I don't know ... exploration in the MMOs you've mentioned is pretty, um, down on the list of things to do. And if it has some rewards to make it worth doing, there are add-ons (WoW/ESO) to tell you exactly where to go, or you can look it up on wowhead or the ESO/Lost Ark equivalents, so it's not really "exploration". It's making a list and checking it twice.

I'm assuming Theodric finished the sightseeing log without consulting one of the many websites that list every one of them.

This is like saying SE should stop making Savage Raids because you can find guide videos on Youtube. Or stop making Sightseeing logs, hunts, etc. because people will more than likely use third-party tools to aid them in doing them.