Not that it's a bad thing, but it does seem like they went a tad nuts. I think they know where the game is heading. Merging servers send a strong message about things. I think they've decided to just make the remaining years of the game a huge playground of craziness. They are throwing crazy gear at people with the Bonanza.

Once XIV hits I'm just the playerbase will decline notably and people looking for a new MMO to try aren't going to fire up XI with FFXIV out there.

I'm personally excited about what SE is doing.