The further push to make MSQ solo-friendly is because this game is now pushed as an entry in the Final Fantasy series more than as an MMO. They want the average RPG fan to feel comfortable playing. And I like the quips and behavior quirks we see from the support NPCs. It feels more like a party RPG that way.

SE probably feels like they NEEDED to do that since the main FF series seriously slowed down after XIV and XIII launched. At this point, they can't stop now. It's standard and used by many players.