Yet another interview..Kotaku however.

[Joji]

I'm not sure this is an accurate way to look at WoW. The game presented steadier progression while leveling and more content with which to hide the level grind than any other MMORPG aside from City of Heroes out of that entire generation of games.

FFXI = grind mobs ad nauseum to level, farm beehive chips to buy overpriced gear
Ragnarok Online = grind mobs ad nauseum, sometimes in a party until you're high enough level for class transfers
Lineage II = grind mobs ad nauseum, try to avoid getting PKd while leveling

For me, it was way too easy to level up. I felt no pride in getting to the next level. It's all about what impression it gave me which was childish graphics and content without soul. That's as accurate as i can get.
Call me a weirdo for liking the potential XIV have. From what little quests were availble in XIV v.1.0, it atleast had something i could connect with in a better way than WOW had.
But it's all personal feelings. It's really not something to discuss. But putting it out here do have value in this conversation. And that's why im sharing them.