Kluege wrote on Nov 7
th, 2014 at 9:55am:
I like this idea. I once suggested that they make greensteel the base of everything. So you need to max a greensteel item out to make it into an alchemical, into a Thunderforged.
They could do the same for challenge loot.
It keeps the older content somewhat relevant and give you a longer term goal. Of course, having bags full of materials for each kinds makes it a moot point but..... maybe a raid loot item to combine with each item to raise it up. Like an alchemical token to raise a greensteel to alchemical, same again in the red/shadow raid... kind of like the stone needed for greensteel only a raid item.
Given what we've seen from the Devs, they have their moments, but they're no where near as creative, rational or lore-abiding as their player base. They have unusual motivations for content that so violently differ from the playerbase, it's no surprise that we've lost so many players.
That said, I can't imagine they're going to do anything that saves old systems - they're just going to write newer ones, with newer, dupable mats that annoy everyone and decrease our gaming population even more.
But...uh...yeah, your suggestion would work. Anything that gets older raids run would be good - or keeps the newer raids relevant. Right now they don't have any long term staying power. The second you farm it to some multiple of 20 so you can get your items, you're done - unless you're running it to help guildies, get renown or purely for fun.