My guess is that it's still going to require 2.0 cleared, but perhaps not 2.X content.
Likely, it either doesn't require Ishgard's involvement, or it's SE trying to accommodate all the people who complained about having to play the game (clear 2.55) to play the game (3.0 MSQ) and don't want to have to play the game (3.X content) to play the game (4.0 content). ...which would make it MUCH more alt-friendly, but would do quite a disservice to people who might feel tempted to powerlevel and not engage in the story.
Likely, it either doesn't require Ishgard's involvement, or it's SE trying to accommodate all the people who complained about having to play the game (clear 2.55) to play the game (3.0 MSQ) and don't want to have to play the game (3.X content) to play the game (4.0 content). ...which would make it MUCH more alt-friendly, but would do quite a disservice to people who might feel tempted to powerlevel and not engage in the story.
