I've seen some people bring up the foreign (Japan?) boxed figures they had during the vintage era. Basically a cardboard box with a picture of the figure/character on the outside. It is funny how we have all this concern about paint apps, etc these days but in general it didn't seem to matter back then. Heck, even today if you are picking up vintage figures - aside from play wear things are pretty consistent overall. Simpler, of course, but very consistent from figure to figure outside of more intentional variations.
I really only collect carded with the vintage collection figures, and that is primarily OT ones (I also try to grab an extra of Han and Chewie each time they are released). I also feel that the Vintage Collection probably has a timer on it at this point to either end or be "rested" again. I love those cardbacks so much, but I don't know if they hold as much meaning to those who didn't grow up with them, and that is a slowly shrinking group. Other than that, I guess I could are less if they minimized packaging if it helped the environment or even lowered costs/prices somehow. I think the recent Black Series SDCC exclusives have essentially been plastic free, so we know it can work there. The 3 3/4" line might be more challenging, but it will be interesting to see what they come up with.