How about racial traits, skills, stat bonuses ect...

[Tenshi]

I've always liked substancial racial bonuses in games. I played EQ a ton and the racial bonuses there were initially HUGE (DEs had awesome night vision, ogres were immune to stun, trolls had regen, etc.) and it made the races (and indirectly, the world) feel distinct and tangible. If you wanted to MIN/MAX your warrior you didn't chose a DE, which made DE warriors sort of rare (and noteworthy).

I do believe there is a financial component involved here though--as mentioned in a previous post, many people want to be whatever race and class they want, and don't want to feel penalized if their lalafel warrior has fewer HPs than a race that is 5 times larger. I suspect flattening racial "in game" bonuses and allowing people to be whatever race/class they want may mean more subscribers, which means more money over the life of the game.

[Jynx]

I do believe there is a financial component involved here though

At then end of the day the biggest issue with a Racial bonus system is that if it doesn't give a boost in some way to ALL jobs and classes in a game where you can switch jobs at the drop of a hat.

You are restricting people in a system where you have intentionally made it open. FFXI was very "Light" on racial bonuses only being a few stat points here and there but even then many players felt the limitations. I for several years had no interest in ever playing a mage so I never had an issue rolling Elvaan, but after years playing as a Thief I decided I'd finally play a mage...why should I be punished for that?

[nasomi]

I never had an issue rolling Elvaan, but after years playing as a Thief I decided I'd finally play a mage...why should I be punished for that?

Should be punished for rolling elvaan in general... but maybe that's just my thoughts.