I started ffxi shortly after its NA release, and I would have to say the community wasn't "special" , simply more naïve and definitely less scarred then todays communities.
MMOS were somewhat a new experience, like a shiny new toy, very much captivating people in a huge new world filled with things to experience. It was also very much filled with elitism, cruelty, and all around bad behavior as much as with helpful, patient and good natured souls. The "bad" was more subtle and quiet ,( tbh ppl had to be phoney to advance with SOME group/ls which is just as bad as outright shouting insults).. as it is in todays mmos but it existed and still does to this day in xi.
Over the years mmos have become common place, so many about and all we do is knee jerk compare one to the other and never really giving any a chance, not always because they are not good, but because we are subconsciously trying to get those same nostalgia feelings we had so many years ago.
Sadly those feelings can never be felt again, you simply cant turn back the clock on your own personal feelings. Like that unbelievable excitement many once felt on Christmas eve...once that's gone from growing up...it never ever returns no matter how much you want it to.
So I would have to say the only thing that made it "better" was the fact that the players were newer to mmos and have yet to damaged/conditioned from years and years of bad behavior.
Not many mmos stand a chance now a days ..we are all judgemental since none can actually replace those feeling we can never have again. Human response is to either leave the game or do like so many do...lash out, blame the community, the game designers...anyone and anything without realizing its our own expectations that are unrealistic and not obtainable.
