What got you interested in MMO's?

As the title says, what got you interested in MMO's - and what was your first MMO?

For me, the main things are:

-having a character that I can develop and have the choices I make last with me for a long time (rather than in a single player game where I make a choice and 5 hours later I'm done the game)

-the social atmosphere and running in to people, playing with different people

-exploring new and gorgeous scenery and dungeons

EDIT: I completely forgot to answer the 2nd half of my own question lol. I would argue it is an MMO and would say Guild Wars 1, but if you don't count GW1 then WoW was my first MMO.

My answer is pretty personal, but it is what it is. What interests ME in MMO's in general is just being a part of something with other people that like/enjoy the same activity as much as I do. It's a place where I can feel comfortable because I'm physically away from groups of people, yet I'm able to still engage with my large group of FC friends whenever I want (and log off whenever!)

As for, why FFXIV? It has the best options for me, at the moment. I've been a FF fan for years, its extremely polished compared to SO many other MMOs, and I love the theme/aesthetic. (Not a huge fan of Blizzard stuff)

I have a really hard time relating to people and making friends. Often, my close friends will say "Hey I know someone that likes video games too, you guys would get along great!" Which in turn I have I to say, "well, what games do they like? Do they only like playing games, because I enjoy talking at length about mechanics and development, and thats not everyones' cup of tea. That's like saying we both like music or food." (you can see where this is going.)

edit:

Oh, and my first MMO was Ragnarok. I played it for 3 days straight with a friend of mine in his bedroom. It was before I could afford my own pc, so he let me use his old one. We would see how high we could get our characters every weekend. A lot of memories in that game.

What got me into MMOs is the fact that it was the next "evolution" in my gaming life. I am a bit older (43 this year) and starting doing tabletop gaming with friends in High School. Once we split ways going into College my next group of friends were into MUDs (multi-user dungeons) and I was absolutely FASCINATED that I could play a game with people from, literally, all over the world. After MUDs' time faded along came MMOs. :) My first MMO was WoW.

edit: @Nora.. if I had a nickel for every "so and so plays games too!" only to find out their definition of being a "gamer" was Farmville/Candy Crush, I wouldn't have to worry about my sub fee ever.

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What got you interested in MMO's?

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Many people in one place, unlike other online games I've played, where it's just you and your opponent. And a much more diverse population as well, and not just the same 'ol same 'ol people that I see every single day. A great escape in a way.

P.S. 1st ever MMO = Runescape.

My first MMO was Runescape 2 and then WoW.

Before that I played Sims 2 (and a few other games of different genres) because I liked improving my status/power, leveling my skills and gaining money in a game. I also enjoyed creating and tweaking characters. But sometimes it was lonely. MMOs offer all of that and more: co-operation, exploration, adventures, fantasy and challenge. I've not played Sims since and almost never play other games than MMOs, especially not single player. They're boring to me.

Assuming you don't count something like the old Persistent World servers in Neverwinter nights, my first MMO was Ragnarok Online. The reason I got into it "All my friends were doing it".

Believe it or not I am a person who hates seeing something fun end. When I love a video game and beat it and I am happy, and yet sad because I finished something so awesome that I wish I can continue it.

Geez, I don't even remember what my first MMO was. It may have been RuneScape, when it was still new.

What got me into them? Persistent world with many people being around, whether I'm playing with them or not. I like trade, a lot, direct or indirect. The fact I can craft stuff, or gather stuff, and someone out there wants the things I have, or vice versa. I prefer it to be direct, but I don't do that as much anymore.

I also like multiplayer games, but most RPGs don't offer the multiplayer online experience that I'm looking for. MMOs do, but honestly, I found this game a bit lacking in that department, i.e., the story experience is mostly a solo game.

This is how it went for me.

Brother: "Hey, so WoW's been out for seven months..."

Me: "No."

Bro: "I'll get it for your birthday, then I can play as well!"

Me: "No."

Bro: "Okay, I'll buy it for you anyway!"

Me: "God dammit..."

The best part is that, while he got his own account shortly thereafter, he quit a few months later and I was left in the blackhole that is MMO life. I kept up with WoW, because raiding was great, until one of the tiers destroyed my love for it. I now use MMOs as an activity to play with my BF, as we're in a long-distance relationship. We raided together on WoW, but we still play to the best of our potential, even though our schedules aren't super conducive to raiding nowadays.

As an aside, I do like going through various storylines in games, regardless of their genre. An MMO just means that there's going to be more to discover as time goes on. Scenery is also nice to idle in.

First MMO: Ultima Online.

Reasons: Birthday present who didn't know you had to pay a monthly fee!

Why I stuck around: Community and the feeling of being part of a ever evolving and changing world.

Sadly few games can capture that feeling of an almost totally player drivin community. Honestly XIV seems to try in earnest to discourage community building.