Basically it goes like this, they add something, it's too easy, so instead of actual challenge like better AI or Enemies or combat mechanics they add tedious grinding, gear gating, and just keep taking stuff away until it feels "hard" enough for them. I've seen it before and I'll see it again. This isn't a new thing. It's a red flag that the devs really don't know how to add fun challenging skill based content so they add challenge only way they know how. Making it take longer.

Without mods I think this game would have a tiny fraction of the current player base due to this simple fact.

I almost wish there wasn't mods, because the mods enable the devs to do nothing and still have the players and sales. If there were no mods they'd lose players and have to do something. The way it is, they won't. They'll make their little cult following grinding game and modders will fix it to make it playable for the rest of us.

Idk why the modders do it for free besides they get to enjoy the game, but they shouldn't have to, the devs and the company that's selling the game should have to, they're benefiting from the mods then ignoring the fact that they exist and that tons of people want these changes or at least the Option to make these changes.

It really seems like they're making the game for a small minority of hard core grinders that want to play this game forever. I don't think that'll be good for the future of the game. But what do I know. I'm just a player.