MMORPGs How they have changed for the better? or worse?

[HWalsh]

How MMORPGs got better:
-Graphics
-Faster paced combat
-Voice acting
-More cinematic storytelling
-No deleveling for deaths
-Housing system.
-NPC companions that can fight with you.
-Mounts/Minions.
-Duty Finder.
-Not having to compete with players for a mining/gathering node or quest mob.



How MMORPGs got worse
-Less threat in the world.
-More hub focused
-Less diverse range of difficult max level battle content(less challenge overall really).
-Artificial lockouts for loot.
-Spec trees pruned or eliminated.
-Duty Finder.
-More solo focused.

(Snipped some from the above to fit in word count limits)

I generally agree with a large amount of this.

I don't see:
-Less threat in the world.
-More hub focused.
-Artificial lockouts for loot.
-Duty Finder
-More solo focused.

As cons.

I've always solo'ed for the most part unless I was tackling tough challenges. It was slower, had a lot more downtime, but I could do it.

Less threat is good, unless you were entering a dangerous area, but you shouldn't walk into the creepy dark forest without feeling danger.

Spec Trees - I miss these so much.

In DAoC (for example) my Blademaster had 3 offensive weapons to put points in (Blades, Blunt, or Pierce) 2 defensive abilities (Parry, Shield), and 1 supplementary ability (Celtic dual wield)

At level 50, I could, between spec points and accessory bonuses 2 of those to 50 with the remainder in a 3rd. They determined my special abilities. 2 Blademasters at level 50 might have completely different builds and abilities. (Special abilities required natural points so that made things hinky)

One person might max blunt, ignore Celtic dual, and max parry and shield to be more defensive.

Someone else might max Blades and Celtic Dual while throwing leftover points into Parry.

They would play differently and function differently and have different strengths and weaknesses. These also used different stats.

In modern mmorpgs one class is the same as every other member of that class at max level and in the same gear. That used to not be the case and I miss that customization.