I knew most of the experienced bards on my EQ server in '03. Half the reason I bothered to develop my character was to try and keep up with them. Now pretty much the only thing that'll keep me playing online multiplayer is casino gamification, so I don't start.
That was a big pull of WoW. You type "lfg" once in all chat and that could send you on a 20 year relationship with a guild with people who end up becoming your best friends.