Keeping the game basic for new players?

[Zarzak]

There was no LFR or LFG system, so player interaction was a must. Also it was all on your own server, so people knew each other to an extent. If you were a ninja looter, your name would be black marked, spread on the realm forum.

While the elite quests n such weren't necessary so wouldn't contradict what I said originally. You are right on this point. At least early on WoW still had SOME redeeming qualities (such as still putting some value on a reputation). But Blizzard took what was already a "baby's 1st MMO" and destroyed the whole MMO community. And are basically the sole reason trolls exist in MMOs. Prior to WoW the idea of a troll was pretty much unheard of in an MMO beyond the noob levels because they would never make it to high end.