I would just like to point out that this only one the first half of the class reforms. We are getting the second half in 1.21, so while it might seem like a "nerf" or "destroying to rebuild" instead of just building up, its really not. So consider that we are only 50% complete in terms of the class reforms not the game itself.

That being said, I actually had, what I feel was an enlightening conversation with a cousin (we've been playing MUDs and MMOs since Neverwinter Nights, but I digress...) the gist of the conversation was what was so different from what makes modern MMOs so different from the older ones. By no means is this a direct analysis of fact, everything I am about to say is merely the pondering of two people.

Older MMOs tended to be great because:
+the nostalgia effect
+they aimed to be better than all other games (not just other MMOs)
+it was a new and original concept

This is what we came up with, why does this matter, might you ask? Well just look around the forums and the answer you seek will reveal itself. But for the less adventurous readers I will provide you with the answer you won't seek. New MMOs and this MMO (just like the new Star Wars MMO and ALL new MMOs) are looking at beating other MMOs 1st and all other games 2nd. Plain proof of this is in the players, look at how many times people make claims that this MMO will "kill" that MMO. Not to mention developers when making the game make claims to out do which ever current MMO looks the most threatening.

That being said its not like trying to out do the competition is a bad thing, but I feel like we (both consumers and developers alike) fixate too much on that aspect, why not try to crush the entire gaming industry? Why not kick the MMO world up a notch? Why not make MMOs the triumph of all gaming types like RTSs, RPGs, FPSs, MMOs? Why can't a MMO be all these things an more all at once? Why not destroy all other types of gaming available?

Personally I feel that if this isn't done the world of subscription based MMOs will fade away in time to be nothing more than a fading fad. Of course MMOs won't completely disappear, but I feel they might become an even smaller niche in the gaming world as a whole. Sadly with most of the general atmosphere in these forums this game will more than likely run itself into the ground (not that this is something I wish, in fact its completely the opposite, I want this MMO to be better than any game ever created/will be created!)

Also I feel that some people try to compare "their first MMO experience" to the current MMO they are playing (this is the nostalgia effect), pulling from their memory they can't count on their hands how many memorable experiences and good times they had, then they look at the current MMO they've just picked up and say "why am I not having a similar experience?" Well one factor that I personally feel (myself included) that most people forget is the amount of time all those memories developed. Its not like it all happened in one sitting of playing that MMO, in fact it was more than likely years upon years of playing.

Now we all know its not fair to judge a book by its cover, but could you not say the same thing about MMOs? To create a fair analysis of the two MMOs you would need to have at least an equal amount of play time, would you not agree? Who knows maybe something spectacular will happen in the game (you meet another player who making the game enjoyable, you find a soul mate (it has happened!), you get into an active linkshell that really kick starts the game for you, the scenarios are endless.)

Finally, and I promise I am wrapping up this lengthy post, is the mere simple fact that we should progressively suggest ideas and refinements (on the forums in particular) instead of the current regressive suggestions a majority of the posters make (myself included, I do like a little trolling here and there I will not lie...but I try to keep it in the "joke" threads :s)

What I mean by this is instead of just flat out saying "it sucks" (in gist) why not add a comment on a way to improve the suggestion? And before anyone says that its not their job to provide suggestions, it is your right as a decent human being to be civil and polite to your fellow race. Best put by all the mothers and fathers of the world, if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all.

And with that I end this post, thank you for reading, I hope this relates to many people in this forum, as well as to the topic in hand. (although I might have gone off on a tangent...) I hope this post has enlightened some and given hope to others.