Personally, I think it is player perception that has changed. SE has followed the same formula since 2013 - at first loosely, but consistently since HW.

Just to add to the OP's list... each expansion has 6 new zones. New zones require you to do MSQ, side quests and explore the zone to fly in those zones.
New jobs are released when the expansion is released (discounting NIN, since we are talking HW and onwards).
1 new dungeon with each major patch.
Relics released piecemeal from around patch X.25 onwards.
PvP "seasons"
Lots of job balance adjustments early in the patch cycle, less later on

Etc etc

They haven't changed their formula. We've changed our perception of it. In part, because we are "used to it." We can skim over about 80% of the patch notes without reading it and already know what's in it. There's just those tiny bits of difference like Island Sanctuary updates that make a difference vs what we may have expected.