There's an important difference between encouraging something and penalizing people when they're not doing it.
FF XI penalized people for not grouping.
With FF XIV, SE wants to encourage grouping, which is a much better way to do things.
Everyone will tell you nowadays, positive reinforcement is much better than negative reinforcement.
The problem right now is that not only grouping isn't better, but soloing is better. They need to find a way to fix this without making soloing a pain in the behind.
Making grouping better by making it better as opposed to making it better by making soloing worse, you know?
FF XI penalized people for not grouping.
With FF XIV, SE wants to encourage grouping, which is a much better way to do things.
Everyone will tell you nowadays, positive reinforcement is much better than negative reinforcement.
The problem right now is that not only grouping isn't better, but soloing is better. They need to find a way to fix this without making soloing a pain in the behind.
Making grouping better by making it better as opposed to making it better by making soloing worse, you know?