Playing with other people is such a hassle. You mentioned SWTOR, so let’s use that as an example. The “Operations” have some fun story content, don’t they? Suppose I want to play one of those.

If you get a bunch of randoms, you’ll get a bunch of people who don’t know what they’re doing, or could try doing their own thing. Many of the Operations bosses have mechanics that require coordination, so your party of randoms is going to get wiped.

Clearly, you need to get a team together to do it. But Operations want 8 players (including you), who all have their schedules free to do the operation with you. And you have to hope that people don’t get other plans or drop out midway through. And you have to be in a position where you can arrange such a group in the first place.

I’m fine with forced group content if it’s easy for randoms to clear, and if no one gives a shit to queue for it anymore, that it can be done solo. Coordinating big groups isn’t feasible these days.