I find myself constantly being told to play this MMO instead, or that MMO instead. I really haven't looked properly into any of them. The reason I fell into Warcraft was because I saw my friend playing the beta and had a go myself and fell in love with it (incidentally, I'd never played an MMO before so I did'nt know much about them). But the main thing I love about RPGs, or any game for that matter, is the world that you find, and the choices that can be made.
I love the Warcraft universe. It fascinates me like the history of Middle-Earth fascinates me. I absolutely love fantasy. And being able to play within this world with a whole history behind it is irresistable. Most other games have a poor quickly made up history just for that game, whereas Warcraft's has been developed through games and books. I also need stories, so thank you for telling me that Lineage is just grinding - I'd hate that.
It also has an amazing amount of choice. Two sides, four races on each side, 9 different classes, even professions. I believe (although I dunno cos the website isn't very informative) that in Guild Wars you can only be human, and you only have 6 general classes (although you can define skills). That isn't enough choice. In Lineage you have 5 races (although there are two races of elves and the orcs look just like green humans) but it seems you can only be a Warrior or Mystic in each. Not enough choice. I like being able to define myself.
The subscription in WoW is unwelcome and Blizzard have a lot to larn about MMOs, but you get over it. Certainly with the amount of time me and my friends have spent playing it. Like smoking, you pay for your addictionÂÂ