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That's not really a strong argument since the popularity of Warcraft went out of scale. They made some poor, newbie decisions that forced them to backpedal at full speed (like binding server names to the timezones) but it's still sort of unfair to compare them with other mmorpg companies that do not have to deal with a similar daily load.

This is certainly true to an extent. However, they've had almost two years now to fix the problem. Cost is obviously not an issue, so really, what is there to justify such sub-par service? It's a lot like their LFG system, or lack thereof. People have been screaming, crying, begging, and pleading for a *real* LFG system, ala CoH/CoV or EQ, since the original one was removed in the first patch. Instead they've been given one half-assed solution after another; the LFG chat channel, the Meeting Stones, and now a global LFG channel that by all accounts is nothing more than a server-wide Chuck Norris forum and IGE sales channel.

Why do they continue to refuse to acknowledge, must less fix, such fundamental problems? Forget the endgame debate and whatnot for a moment, we can't even get a real LFG system implemented.

Till there isn't anyone with more clue than them. Which is not simple nor anything we'll see in the next few years.

SOE can have a superior support, but a much better support doesn't make a better game.

I want to be clear that I like the game, a lot. It really is an excellent game, pre-60. I wouldn't get so irritated about things if I didn't like it.

The reality is, there are only a few areas that, if fixed, would really take WoW to the next level. Obviously the raid-or-die endgame, and the associated itemization debacle, is an unmitigated disaster that will be the game's biggest liability (and weak point to be exploited by another game). Both casual and hardcore non-raid content needs to be added to the endgame, along with green and blue quality items to fill the gap between raid and non-raid loot.

Another is accessibility fixes, such as implementing a real LFG system. Although lately it seems as though the raid-centric development is designed to kill off the PuG (and by extension, unguilded players, and the very concept of socializing with and meeting new people). The lack of a real LFG tool, the reduced hard caps on level 60 instances, and the constant attempt to herd players into MC and beyond is very anti-social and is a real detriment to the game.

Lastly is the service area. Obviously what I said about server stability, but also player feedback. Between raid loot, battlegrounds, and the honor system, PvP has been castrated. 1.12 will hopefully fix this, but it doesn't change the fact that Blizzard has ignored player feedback on PvP (like not allowing ex-Rank 14 players access to the newly added weapons...as if anyone could be realistically be expected to make that grind twice). The LFG system, as I've said. Also there's the keyrings, another feature people have been begging for since release, and what happens when they are finally added? Half of the keys that people are carrying (Onyxia, UBRS, ZF, Mara, etc.) don't "count" as keys for purposes of the keyring, even though Blizzard was made quite aware via the forums that people expected those items to go on the keyring along with the SM key, SG key, etc.

The TLDR version is Blizzard more and more comes off as content to rest on its laurels, untouchable, detractors-be-damned, to the point where they are needlessly jeopardizing the future of WoW and irritating paying customers at the same time.