At least for me,the problem with mmo's is the group size of the end game content.Im fine with vertical progression,long time invesment requirements and such but what deterring me from playing them is the 10-25man raids.Granted ive only played WoW and Rift.
In all online games i play,i have very close 1-2 friends that i like to play with.I can play with such a small party Battlefield,any sports games,Diablo,mobas but when it comes to mmo's,you need a group of 10/25.Especially in 25man raiding,at least 15 of those people are just people that i group up to get shit done,outside of raiding i dont want to have interaction with them.
I'd like an mmo with its end game catering to smaller groups,like 3 man dungeons and 6-7man raids,where i could organize my own group from my own friends,instead of committing to a schedule with lots of other people i dont know.I really wonder if there are other people in the same mindset as me.