Guild Wars patch lowers access level for Eye of the North

This week's update to Guild Wars brings the usual assortment of bug fixes and pvp tweaks, but it also offers up a curious change to the way that Arena.net's latest release (Eye of the North) works. At launch two months ago, players needed a max-level character to gain access to the new content. Level 20 in Guild Wars is fairly easy to attain, and I didn't think much of it. Now, though, the company is offering access to the expansion as early as level 10.

Additional notes include:

• Players who are between levels 10 and 19 and are in Eye of the North maps will automatically receive a buff called Journey to the North. This buff [effectively makes them 20th level for armor, stats, and health. The buff also effectively gives characters 20th level attributes.]
  
• Players new to Eye of the North can now receive a basic max damage weapon by completing the Hero Tutorial quest given by Burol Ironfist in Boreal Station. Once completed, players receive a Burol Ironfist's Commendation item that can be turned in to Arkor Leadfoot in Boreal Station for a weapon of their choosing.
• A new armorer, Jolvor Stoneforge, has been added to Boreal Station to give players a cheaper source of basic max level armor in the Eye of the North expansion.

So ... what does this mean? The opinion in the community is that almost everyone has a 20th level character. Veteran players talk about running an alt up to 20 like it's nothing, and even challenge themselves with strange and arcane hoops to gain unique titles. Obviously Arena.net feels that there is a significant population of players out there that want to participate in the GWEN content, but don't have a 20th level character.

Is there any other reason to drop the level requirement and offer these boosts? Guild Wars vets, fill us in ... why the change so soon after the expansion launches?