They were probably afraid that people wouldn't be able to figure out what to do if you didn't hold their hands during the first hour or so. After all the script

They were probably afraid that people wouldn't be able to figure out what to do if you didn't hold their hands during the first hour or so. After all the scripted events and lecturing, though, it's anything goes. They do provide some ways of getting hints if you get stuck, but you have to actively seek these out. By default, after the initial lecturing, if you see something interesting you can go explore it whenever you want.