I think the point of continuing the discussion is a quest (pun intended) to hear back on the perspectives and putting a weight on the impact this may have in multiple dimensions.
While I am confident devs knew there would be impact, unless you let it to those that didn't spend time debating pros/cons, you don't really know how the fan base it going to truly react.
I agree with the concerns. Some of my favorite times were spent exporing interacitons, characters, mobs, whether to increase skill (Elder Scrolls, wondering what may be somewhere even if there wasn't a quest invovled (and if I lost the quest item, oops)... That's more like the unscripted, even if guided adventuring.
Realizing how big of a change this sounds like, I hope it is a serious consideration. Otherwise, I'm thinking my funding was a charitable donation vs. giving me a game I am looking forward to playing over and over again.