Looking for perspective... An MMOs first year

[NeoEarth]

While I am bored to $hit in FFXIV, the one thing that keeps me coming back is the idea of FFXIV being one day a world filled with lore and adventure.

For me, when I entered into FFXI then LOTRO, the world was very developed and exciting. Today... FFXIV comes off as a young and highly impressionable toddler, being sadly twisted in circles by an ever more bitter community.

I'm looking for perspective.. perhaps some off us, most of us, need some... but what were those first 365 days like in comparison to FFXIV?

EDIT: If you have played the first year of any other MMO, certainly FFXI, please offer your 2 cents. ^^