So, I understand that Blizzard changed directions because of money, but I think there is another good reason for casualizing the content.

In older expansions, the game builds up these awesome stories through the leveling process. However, the conclusions of these stories are always in raids ; and for a non-raider, that sucks.

I never found out what happened to Illidan. I never got to see the final showdown with the Lich King. It wasn't until they started adding a "casual" mode to the end-game content that I actually got to follow their stories from start to finish.

Statistically, casual players like myself are the majority in the game -- always have been. So I think it makes sense that there is a way for us to experience the lore.

As far as I know, in addition to a difficulty tuner for end-game dungeons, there are some extremely hard-to-get weapon appearances, transmogs, mounts, etc, for the hardcore player, right? And hasn't it always been about investing a lot of time to show off stuff that 99% of the playerbase doesn't have? Legion has a ton of that stuff. Stuff that I and most people will never, ever have.

The only thing that's changed is that the lore is no longer exclusive, which I think is great.