I am extremely concerned about this

[NYCLouisGamer]

The reality is - For as good as the MSQ is lauded to be -- and as core to the game as people believe it is -- Ultimately the length of the MSQ is bordering far too close to unmanageable.

People could very well view it as the best story in all of existence if they want to - But none of that matters, literally none of it matters if many players quit before they actually get to the stages where the MSQ is actually good, or if they quit because they essentially need to burn through 400 hours of story, before they are able to do the stuff they want to do.

I think the only thing I would change, and granted I know they won't -- But create different points in the game where players can decide to skip to, rather than the only choice essentially being 6.1 or 6.55 or whatever.

That's a fair point! Something else that isn't being mentioned: all expansion storylines are not created equal, and that is subjective.

Everybody has a storyline they love, a storyline they hate and ones that are in the middle. For some people, their favorite storyline might be ARR and then they don't enjoy it again until Shadowbringers. My point is that there is no safe way to skip expansion storylines when they are all connected. The only exception would be people that don't care about the story.

How about this idea? If somebody is not interested in the story, they can start in the current patch (and still have to pay for the prior expansions). Except that they would also be required to do short training dungeons with Duty Support. One every 5 levels until they reach level 80. Each job would have its own unique set of training dungeons. If they fail the mechanics, they have to try again.

Frankly, I wish we had that option for everybody!

[BokoToloko]

In all honesty, Dawntrail could've easily been set up as a "reset" in MSQ, where the WoL started completely anew, without having to carry any characters from the previous arc for anything other than for cameos (*coughs* Scions *coughs*) and, in turn, allow new players to catch the rest's pace without a hitch.

As it stands now, though, they can no longer go for that route so, realistically, their only choice would be to allow trial version to access every expansion other than current's, in order to make it easier to get into the game and not having to deal with payments until you reach current content. Not many people will pay a sub if they're not even going to catch up in a couple months.

[Nebelheim]

Not everyone is into story in games some people prefer the raiding just like not everyone is into raiding. The good thing about ff14 is that it has multiple aspects to enjoy. People need to stop gatekeeping and trying to force people to enjoy story just because they enjoy it and stop looking down on others for buying skips. I love the story and play as much aspects of the game that I enjoy but could care less if someone skips the story as long as they at least learn enough of the basics to get by. The whole attitude of "I played through the story and enjoyed it so you have to" needs to stop.

[ReynTime]

Again there would be a simple and less lazy solution:

Offer 2 MSQ routes for new characters. One which is a lot shorter but helps them reach the requirements for Dawntrail organically. Retroactively they could offer a way for the player to experience ARR->Endwalker through New Game+ or something similar.

But they made two stupid decisions that makes that impractical. What are they, you ask? Well, forcing baggage from past important MSQ events in form of the many Scions that had their arcs done and are only sticking around because they're afraid of coming up with new characters for the new saga.
Now it's just important that every player invested in the story goes through the past 10 years worth in order to feel the level of emotional attachment and care for what the existing companion characters should be in the current context.
And second, having the main character keep the blessing from Hydaelin even after her story was over. They come up with asspulls all the time, like Dynamis. The lack of blessing wouldn't prevent the MSQ from making us do impossible feats. Keeping it just continues to chain enjoyment of future MSQ based on personal experience with 2.0~6.0.

Whatever option they come up with for the skip, I'm 110% confident it will not provide any organic character or MSQ progression. And they put themselves in this position.

[Varilyon]

snip

I completely agree with your position. Now only 8.0 or 7.4 seems like a good start for a skip.

A skip is necessary and should be an option in the beginning (furthermore with replaying 2.x-6.x). Like a higher class you can choose, which starts with a new expansion. Next to that we need an updated hall of novice and/or newer (Insert name of that smaller dungeons, which only existed up to level 50). They should be part of that new route and involve couple low level duties, so the beginner starts with just couple moves.