Does instant transportation effect game immersion?

[Rhomagus]

In general, an MMO's success thrives from sustaining players in the game.

A game containing challenging obstacles that impede in-game goals, be it the time to accomplish agendas; depth of difficulty, a time-sink in its own right; or a plethora of content to complete, not only compliment the chances of success but requires that a player pertains diligence, separating the hardcore from the casual, and grants a feeling of accomplishment & enjoyment once those impediments are perished.

So IMO, instant transportation does [not] warrant less immersion.

Games with easily accessible shortcuts diminishes it's difficulty and staying power.

I now agree with this statement.

You even state it in your post:

depth of difficulty, a time-sink in its own right;

We don't need to waste time for wasting time's sake. We are already utilizing time in order to accomplish difficult objectives. Non-instant transportation does not add difficulty unless there is actual content to accompany it.

This fails to take into account being given the freedom to "take the road less traveled", and that makes, "all the difference".