Yeah, that's precisely why. They ditched it because PS2/XBOX/GC is when the video game market really went the way of visuals being one of the most important aspects of games to developers. I don't see how they can make a world map work with realistic proportions and the level of detail you get constantly without one. I mean, it would be awesome, but it would be freaking massive.

Still, I would like to see it return, and I hope they keep it in Versus. I would prefer it in a turn based RPG rather than an action RPG though. But traditional turn based combat is yet another thing I don't see coming back.