I know i want something that feels like a place: and open world content is essential for that.

Im not sure what people think they want though. I know everyone says "open world." I know most people don't actually do it more than once. I see people needing moogle NMs and no one wanting to do it, theyd rather zip immediately to the fight. Not to mention all the issues i see with folks just trying to get to Castrum Novum (though i assume this is because of peoples weird aversion to fighting/staying in a group in this game or it would be fairly easy). That's not just this FFXIV either, I recall plenty of people having to wait months for Zilart missions.

I see people saying "I don't want to deal with lore for quests." If it was one talk go kill x or y wherever but heaven forbid the story leave the town. They just spam enter on anything that takes more than 5 minutes. Yet they complain guidleves are "impersonal." I don't mind the run around because its about that journey and story even if its simple.

I know claiming over 30 people to fight some monster isn't really fun but that seeing someone else fighting something special is awe inspiring.

Its almost like there might be a balancing point between each end.