no insitement to go explore world -

[RethDaron]

Despite the horrible spelling and such, I agree with OP. XIV is really lacking in this area.

Most 'modern' games have an incentive to explore the world - The Secret World with its lore nodes, Guild Wars 2 with its vistas, SWTOR with its datacrons.

I feel that this is a result of gaming giving rewards, achievements and throwing things in player's faces at every opportunity for every small thing that the player does. Personally, existing in the world and searching the area, looking around corners and discovering the little aspects put into every part of the world is enough reason for me to look around all facets and aspects.

I'd agree but the zones in ARR are pretty much a one way track.

Actual exploration isn't an incentive here as you see every part of the zone through the quests - it's like the zones were made with set pieces in mind for quests to lead to. Very few places that's off the beaten path to explore on your own, in fact I can't remember finding any in the starter zones.