It's not just that. Leveling is a poor excuse for content, period.

Giving a bout a 1 hour per level rate solo is optimal, and that's what I experienced mid to late levels on Dragoon. It worked. It was fun, it gave me time to play with new toys and get used to new concepts with it.

For parties, I learn my task for events, how to work what I need to. But I'm having fun in the current game content.

And here's the run of it - it should be CONTENT that keeps players occupied. Not trying to achieve the "You must be this tall(In levels) to ride this ride." Part of the theme park.

Optimally what you want to do is to create a system in which repeating content is both enjoyable and helps contribute to overall long term goals. Where exploration both in terms of physical areas as well as stragities are rewarded rather than punished by pushing speed-run ideals on us.

And more than anything, story, story, story. FFXI was bursting with lore with only a year into the game (NA release) and having that sort of richness will set the game apart, and make going into the world that much more fun.

Extending the time it takes to level? That's not the answer to anything. That's not adventuring, that's grinding. I'd rather have fun with a pick-up-group playing slow and casual in a raid run and getting to know each other while still getting good drops for having an odd set up. Then sit there grumbling on how one person is harping about our EXP/Hr being low at some grind party.