I really don't think that the number really matters, so long as you are able to continue developing your character and SE continues to publish new content for the players to challenge. Be it gaining a level, obtaining a new piece of gear, learning a new weaponskill/spell, securing a new atma, it's all about growing your character. And of course you need content to test your new found advancements against. In a game like FFXI where PvP is -terrible- it's really important that the PvE content is there for that purpose.
During the level 75 era I think SE really milked the grind, events like Dynamis and Salvage in particular were brutal for the time investment vs character advancement ratio. The Abyssea era seems to be a complete 180; AF is pretty easy to complete and even Empyreans are within reasonable reach (subjective I suppose) and people are leveling as many jobs as they can since it's so easy to gain experience. It's a much more dynamic environment which I think is a positive change.
I do miss new storyline though. Not that I've finished WotG... We totally need to finish WotG!
During the level 75 era I think SE really milked the grind, events like Dynamis and Salvage in particular were brutal for the time investment vs character advancement ratio. The Abyssea era seems to be a complete 180; AF is pretty easy to complete and even Empyreans are within reasonable reach (subjective I suppose) and people are leveling as many jobs as they can since it's so easy to gain experience. It's a much more dynamic environment which I think is a positive change.
I do miss new storyline though. Not that I've finished WotG... We totally need to finish WotG!