"I guess the idea was to give an edge advantage to more experienced players but this could have also been achieved in ways that actually enhances the experience for others."
I think the purpose wasn't really that but to find some way to reward people who are not out killing the crap out of everyone else. PVE is a fine thing to reward but I think it's more accurately reflected by 'farming' rather than just looking at stuff. My goal for edges would be to make it 'invisible', IE, I don't need to change my playstyle artificially to 'game' the system. Rather, if I'm out exploring and gathering stuff I should get the rewards and if I'm not, I don't.