MMO's tend to have hard gameplay's in order to present challenges to keep their players amused and challenged at all times. Even as a long-term player, some players still face situations that present itself as a challenge to those players.
So yes, the gameplay is harder and challenging for new players. Which is only a preparation to what comes next. To the point where you reach the end-game (current or future) the game will always present challenges along the way, which is the amusement factor. As an example to that, the recently introduced boss battles. Where you are outmached by the overwhelming difference in levels and pokemons that they posses.
Not only that, there will be more features and context added in order to provide more challenging gameplay.