I think the trend to ultra high magnification is due to the increased numbers of target shooters and the decreased numbers of hunters. I would wager that target shooters comprise more than 80% of rifle owners. When target shooting with your buddies, FOV is not a consideration, only the ability to see the target as big as possible to hit it.Most folks today have never tried a quality low X scope like the All Weather Lyman Alaskan. As JOC proved with his (with a SIX inch dot), a low X scope is no barrier to killing animals.
In my collection is an experimental Rochester B&L one off BalTur 2.5X with a mildot setup. Amazing how far away you can hit things with it. A "man" target at 600 yards is a piece of cake.
Fixed it for youNo way you can hit a deer at 200 yards without a custom action and a $4000 5-35 x56 with 34mm tube scope cranked all the way up while shooting prone with a bipod and 3 sand bags