I think, knowing SE, they may also be trying for a sort of pacing process to give the characters you play a more natural feel. Give you a connection to the character after having to spend more time building that character, therefore making you more attached and more interested in continuing. HOWEVER, in the western mindset of gameplay that will not fly more than likely. I don't mind it as I will be playing hardcore enough, but am never interested in shooting up levels in an abnormally short amount of time. This will probably help me to actually d something else besides level and quest as well. I never did much of the crafting business in FFXI and I felt bad for it, but there was a great deal else on my plate is all.
BTW, there is plenty of insult flung towards hardcore gamers. I mean look at society...they don't exactly push younger generations towards below ground, practically cave dwelling stasis while glued to a television or monitor...then again looking at society more closely...maybe they do.
