Normally with expansions the story of the expansion is continued in some way up until the x.3 patch, then the x.4 and x.5 patches begin the build up to the next expansion. It was confirmed before Endwalker launched that this would be shaken up a bit, as the story itself wrapped up in the expansion itself. So now for the first time in the history of the game, we have no lingering story to tell in the patches.
I suspect this is what is being shaken up. I would reign in larger expectations of the formula changing. I'd love for them to do that but they seem very committed to said formula. We've already begun the traditional raid series schedule and the typical Trial pattern. I'm sure all of that stuff will continue.
That's good and all Yoshi-P, but when will I be able to play this game? I can't wait anymore.
Did you previously own the game? You can play whenever you want. The crashes during login were solved awhile ago. It still takes about 2 to 3 hours to login during prime time hours on the most popular servers, but it takes mere minutes to login during most times of the day. You can leave the queue up and do other things too now.
Do you not own the game? Then you'll be able to play it when there's no longer a shortage on the tech needed. Blame COVID, not Yoshi-P. He can't choose when. Though for people in this situation I would say that you waited like 8 years worth of people praising this game, you likely can continue to wait.