so i was thinking about this earlier, trying to feel the direction that FFXIV is headed

to me, there are 2 routes that this game can go:

1. Story-driven (FFXI): we progress through lore by completing missions and battles and also by going around and talking to NPCs. Completing a set of missions and story-arcs then opens up dungeons where we can farm bosses and get gear drops.

2. Dungeon-driven(WoW,Rift): we progress through lore by completing dungeons which also drops gear/items. By completing a dungeon, we gain access to more dungeons and in turn progress the storyline.

i personally prefer a story-driven game. Completing missions which unlocks more lore/story and then finally completing it unlocks a dungeon. (sea, sky, dynamis) Going in this direction, we are rewarded by unlocking dungeons themselves. There were fewer dungeons but each of them were unique and were higher quality.

the only thing i would suggest to yoshida if i had the chance was to not put too much emphasis on dungeons. yes they can be a good way for people to spend their time going through them and completing them, but please don't use them as a vehicle to progress in the story and lore. I know that we're are going to get both in the end but please put the emphasis on story missions and arcs.