No, current MMORPGs are suffering because they do think they're something different. They think it's a good idea to stagnate your entire game and gradually lose a customer because they've lost all impetus.
MMORPGs should conform to the old model of narratives and progression and closure, they're just in the enviable position of being able to start new chapters or entire story arcs whenever they want.
I fail to see why MMORPGs should distance themselves from the entire concept of narrative structure, something which has stood the test of centuries, simply because they can. I don't think an endless sandbox that inevitably loses its appeal for players is a good idea. I think completeable narratives are incredibly suited to the MMORPG genre, and that the real 'useless weight' is the awkward dance developers currently attempt to string their customers along for as long as possible on as little content as possible.
Re: The defenitive solution to the endgame: "gated content"
No, current MMORPGs are suffering because they do think they're something different. They think it's a good idea to stagnate your entire game and gradually lose a customer because they've lost all impetus.
MMORPGs should conform to the old model of narratives and progression and closure, they're just in the enviable position of being able to start new chapters or entire story arcs whenever they want.
I fail to see why MMORPGs should distance themselves from the entire concept of narrative structure, something which has stood the test of centuries, simply because they can. I don't think an endless sandbox that inevitably loses its appeal for players is a good idea. I think completeable narratives are incredibly suited to the MMORPG genre, and that the real 'useless weight' is the awkward dance developers currently attempt to string their customers along for as long as possible on as little content as possible.