A more realistic approach would confront the player with real economic scarcity and insecurity, but who wants to escape to that world?
The past 48 years of D&D players, who caused this game to be developed.
But is that common in D&D? Players struggling with the drudgery of foraging and eating in a resource scarce environment?
Your question was about scarcity, as was my response. The players have voted that yes, they do want scarcity in this game, regardless of the short attention span of some players.
I didn't vote scarcity, and I don't think many have. Less than current? Many have. Yes. Scarcity. No.
But as JanK pointed out, difficulty settings could manage both experiences.
