Lately MMOs are lasting us thirty days, maybe sixty for die-hards. But for the most part were all jumping around from game to game lookng for that old feeling or at least something we can call home for awhile....But can you really find one ?
I haven't had any trouble finding games that I'd stick with for quite a while. In the last 28 months, I've probably only played three games much (Spiral Knights, Uncharted Waters Online, and Guild Wars 2), but I've played each of them quite a lot. If you can't find any games you like, then maybe the problem is you.
Seems like there's a problem with lots of gamers.
Or maybe that's faulty reasoning. Like telling people leaving a really bad movie that they have issues.
But it's not with lots of gamers. Even a really popular movie will have a small number of people walking out of it, hating it. That's the people who are hating modern MMOs. It's a relatively small number of people who then come to forums like this and bitch and whine about it, but they are not statistically worthwhile to the industry. It seems like a lot on a forum, but it's nothing compared to the millions of people who are playing these games worldwide.
So yes, the problem is with these people who just don't like the same kinds of games that the overwhelming majority of gamers play and enjoy.
1) Of course not. I can always choose not to play.
2) Yes. Today's MMOs are much better games with no commitment requirement, and often don't depends on others to have fun.
3) Of course. You can always vote with your wallet and your feet.
One point I was trying to make in my post is to squash this on going statement that seems to be popular here :
" You can vote with your wallet ".
NO, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN !
Most of us are obsessed with mmos and video games, WE WILL ALL PLAY EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT. Come on you know it, I know it, and developers know it.
That's your problem then, isn't it? If you have no self control and developers can make a buck off of you, why in the world would they change? It is your fault and you know it.
Another point I was trying to make is that developers may very well not care if you stay subbed or not... I think the big money is made up front !............this is why we get 30 days games.
More like the point above, where fanatical gamers are going to play whether they like the game or not, then are going to bitch about it later. That's the fault of the gamers and people without self control deserve what they get.
Except they aren't leaving a single really bad movie. They are saying every movie is a bad movie.
maybe movies aren't for these people?
Which means what? That the movies are bad is what it means because if they were good...movies would be for them!
Jebus man, get over consumer whorism...a persons opinion is valid even if it goes against yours and they have a right to voice it just as you do.
I'm not saying people don't have a right to have their own opinion. I was saying that if you hate every MMO that is currently out there, and can't find a mmo that fits you. Mmos just might not be for you anymore. I was responding to a previous post responding to this idea. Not sure where "consumer whorism" even fits in to this.
You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.
Because we all have a choice to play or not to play. I've chosen not to play any MMO's the last 2 years. I think I'll get back into them but I'm not prepared to waste any time/money at present.
Are you liking it?
Yes -
I'm comfortable with my decision and not overly concerned that I haven't found my next MMORPG to invest all my spare time into yet. If it arrives then great! If it doesn't then I'll stick to other pursuits/hobbies.
Do we even have a vote?
Yes -
My decision not to play/pay is my vote.
What I realize is this - It's me who's in the minority!
The MMORPG universe has expanded and evolved drawing in many more people. Certain aspects/features that us older generation of MMO gamer expects or even demands to see, have been watered down, altered or dismissed to cater to the majority.
For businesses, maximizing profits will always be their number one goal. It's a numbers game and game developers are no different. Games are always designed to draw in $$ by reaching the maximum audience attainable.
If you don't agree with this, then ask yourself - Why have MMO's gone this way? If your conclusion differs from mine I'd like to hear it.
As I said before - I'm the one who's in the minority, as are my expectations of what constitutes a great MMORPG.
One point I was trying to make in my post is to squash this on going statement that seems to be popular here :
" You can vote with your wallet ".
NO, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN !
Most of us are obsessed with mmos and video games, WE WILL ALL PLAY EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT. Come on you know it, I know it, and developers know it.
Another point I was trying to make is that developers may very well not care if you stay subbed or not... I think the big money is made up front !............this is why we get 30 days games.
Sorry, but voting with your wallet always happens, and will never stop. What your complaint appears to be is that not enough people are voting with their wallet in the way you would prefer, i.e. you are on the losing side of the economic election.
Lately MMOs are lasting us thirty days, maybe sixty for die-hards. But for the most part were all jumping around from game to game lookng for that old feeling or at least something we can call home for awhile....But can you really find one ?
I haven't had any trouble finding games that I'd stick with for quite a while. In the last 28 months, I've probably only played three games much (Spiral Knights, Uncharted Waters Online, and Guild Wars 2), but I've played each of them quite a lot. If you can't find any games you like, then maybe the problem is you.
This.
I find it EXTREMELY hard to believe that someone who likes MMOs hates all MMOs.
Either you haven't tried NEARLY enough to find nostalgic games or just don't like MMOs.
If you want an "new" old school experience, I would say try Darkfall, Rift, Tera, Aion, Lineage 2, or some other game on that big ass list.
"As you read these words, a release is seven days or less away or has just happened within the last seven days those are now the only two states youll find the world of Tyria."...Guild Wars 2
You know the way I see it these days, I don't really care much. If there's dipsticks who want to keep things the same in light of what's happening to the MMO scene, it doesn't really matter to me in the grand scheme of things. Failures are speaking far louder than anything else.
And yes, going FTP is failure, and closing mucho servers is failure. The games may stay afloat, but they ain't sailin' anywhere.
Actually they are sailing, just not with you on board. But you are trying to tell the rest of us that we shouldn't be going on the cruise.
Thanx for the advice.
FFA Nonconsentual Full Loot PvP ...You know you want it!!
If you want an "new" old school experience, I would say try Darkfall, Rift, Tera, Aion, Lineage 2, or some other game on that big ass list
The real issue is you just described a heavily niche game, 3 WoW clones and a game that is older than dirt. Fact is we have had almost nothing but WoW clones come out for 5 years, the genre is just completely stale. A lot of new games on the horizon are breaking this mold but until they start coming out we are in a pretty sad era for this genre.
Voting with your wallet works? Then why isn't everyone doing it, cus all the MMOs in the past few years have been awful, anti-social, rollercoasters... Yes, each to their own; and everyone has a choice; it's just that some must be very easily pleased!
The genre is in trouble; and MMOs have became solo player console games. The next step is probably to have no chat features at all.
No trials. No tricks. No traps. No EU-RP server. NO THANKS!
This is funny, you are playing an mmo and you enjoy the single player aspect of it???? You sir are the one playing the wrong games, and to OP you are right man, but you have to remember something everything purchasable will be purchased, people are sheep, alot of followers, and most of them love being a follower, or dont know they are following, intelligence, wisdom.... its dying, and you will never find reason on the internet man, these people are making moneyu hand over fist, and all these rants do, is put more money in their pockets, you say the current status of mmo production is terrible, that company is registering 4000 accounts to say it isnt, the best thing to do is just walk away, or read, if something sparks your interest, investigate it, read the fine print, and know the details, i can tell you right now all these highly anticipated games coming out, are going to be garbage, and there will be 100 million people which really is only 10 people saying they are going to be great, and revolutionary, well it wont, these games are garbage wow has the market cornered, always will, and its an extremely shitty game, the game that succeeds is the game that takes away the easy mode crap, the journey from level 1 to whatever should be the most memorable, not how many hours you have logged doing end game, id rather spend a week leveling from 1 to 2 than end game raid tbh, quality is greater than quantity. and thats the true true right there.
1) Of course not. I can always choose not to play.
2) Yes. Today's MMOs are much better games with no commitment requirement, and often don't depends on others to have fun.
3) Of course. You can always vote with your wallet and your feet.
1A.) Agreed, we are 'forced" to do nothing in MMO gaming, it's a luxury, it always has been and is part of the reason why I am opposed to F2P...
2A.) No, not really, Today's games are worse and more shallow than they should be for the age of this genre, and worse and more shallow than what they were, only with better graphics and now cash shops!
3.) Yes we have a vote... we CAN vote with our wallet and not play... but that only leaves....
and WHOM does that leave playing the game ?? Hmm?
Players just like you nariusseldon, that's who. Players like you weren't happy with how MMOs were designed years ago so you instigate and infiltrate, a word here, a word there, support this Devs idea, push for cash shops, until the genre comes around to your way of thinking. Slowly but surely promoting all the crap us some of us hate the most.
Notice I said "some". I am well aware that you and many others did not like how MMOs used to be, now they are closer to what you all wanted, and now you are happier. Marvelous.
All the time telling Players that if they don't like the "new and improved way" they can vote with their wallets. How convenient... nice way to get rid of the opposition.
Slick, real slick. Just like Politics.
( It's quite apparent the plan is working and that is what is so infuriating about it. Go ahead and report me for this one, I will consider it a compliment. )
The genre is in trouble; and MMOs have became solo player console games. The next step is probably to have no chat features at all.
"Trouble" is a matter of perspective. I am all for more solo MMOs. No chat ... all vent/mumble .. sounds ok to me. But seriously, even SP online games have chat now. As long as i can ignore & filter, chat is not a bad thing.
Players just like you nariusseldon, that's who. Players like you weren't happy with how MMOs were designed years ago so you instigate and infiltrate, a word here, a word there, support this Devs idea, push for cash shops, until the genre comes around to your way of thinking. Slowly but surely promoting all the crap us some of us hate the most.
wow .. lots of conspiracy theories ... do you think i kill JFK too?
of course i post and support dev ideas that i like. Every gamer does that. Don't tell me you don't.
Truth is, you are confused between cause & effect. It is the devs who want us as an audience. If they have not evolve the genre, i wouldn't even be here.
And if you don't like it .. you guess it .. vote with your wallet.
People are NOT voting with there wallets !!!!......Our obsessiveness leaves us with no choice.
like everything else in life - vote w your wallet
i never pay for a game unless i have interest in it
-or- a friend is playing the game and i can tolerate the game
this ^
we are not being forced to what we have now. We keep getting the same things because people keep supporting and accepting them and making them a big success for everyone else to follow instead of going beyond it.
I personally have already played Skyrim more than any mmorpg out there. I found more things to do in that game than an actual mmo where repeating the same content is the only form of progression. That doesnt mean i dont have my mmos of choice (GW2 and WoW) but i play mmos very casually to avoid massive repetitive activities that kill the enjoyment of any game.
What people are really assuming is that the voice you see on a forum represents the majority of gamers. That because you see all these threads started by a few hundred/thousand people that this is what all gamers must think.
With a population of 40+ million gamers, does a few thousand unhappy gamers really imply all this doom and gloom for the industry ?
If games really only last us 60 days how are all these mmos going years later ?
Have you not seen the population of these games after 60 days? Nothing like what EQ, DAoC, and WoW used to be like, or even what the game is like at launch. Games are emptied after a few months, because a lot of them are just copy and pasted poor substitutes.
To deny that, is to be in denial of the serious problem this genre faces.
The problem is that a lot of the disgruntled few have deluded themselves into thinking they can speak for the masses, and are the arbiters of quality. They don't, and they aren't.
In order to be successful movie critics (the role they aspire to--wannabe developer pays even less--zero), they have to convince at least some of the movie-buying public that their analysis is more meaningful, more logical, more accurate than the average movie go-er's self-analysis is.
Siskel and Ebert got hate mail every single day, and lots of examples where they made brilliantly wrong calls. Because they weren't trying to predict which movies would be box offices successes...they were reviewing for artistic merit.
Something of a different animal from what the public buys, else Transformers could not have made money.
This site has many of the same issues as Critic vs Public.
So do Lit Professors (whose often choose fine, but sometimes unreadable books).
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
I'm happy with mostly everything. There's a lot of variety in MMOs today (racing, fps, strategy, fantasy etc.) and as far as the industry is concerned, it's still growing and more and more games are still being made with some pretty neat ones just on the horizon. And also many more people are playing MMOs today then in the days of yore. So overall, I think it's in a pretty good spot.
The problem is that a lot of people have a misconception about misconceptions. Actually, there needs to be a factual conception for there to be a misconception. But since there are a lot of conceptions of what an MMO is or what it can be, then one person's conception may differ from another's, and it would appear to them that the other has a misconception when in fact neither have misconceptions, but only differing conceptions, and actually there cannot be a misconception because there is no ultimate conception to be misconcepted (I made this word up lol).
What people are really assuming is that the voice you see on a forum represents the majority of gamers. That because you see all these threads started by a few hundred/thousand people that this is what all gamers must think.
With a population of 40+ million gamers, does a few thousand unhappy gamers really imply all this doom and gloom for the industry ?
If games really only last us 60 days how are all these mmos going years later ?
Have you not seen the population of these games after 60 days? Nothing like what EQ, DAoC, and WoW used to be like, or even what the game is like at launch. Games are emptied after a few months, because a lot of them are just copy and pasted poor substitutes.
To deny that, is to be in denial of the serious problem this genre faces.
Actually the populations of today's games (virtually all of the better ones released post WoW) is exactly the same population as the games pre-WoW, that is 56 - 500k. The only difference is WoW. EQ capped at 450k, swtor has more than that even after one year. Daoc got a couple hundred and dropped to 50 within a few years, same with AC - the other modern games almost all have double that.
So yep pretty much exactly the same population spread as before 50-500k.
Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it is bad.
[quote]I'm happy with mostly everything. There's a lot of variety in MMOs today (racing, fps, Yeah I agree, I think the OP messed up his topic because it really seems like he meant MMORPG which is a completely different subject than MMOs.
What people are really assuming is that the voice you see on a forum represents the majority of gamers. That because you see all these threads started by a few hundred/thousand people that this is what all gamers must think.
With a population of 40+ million gamers, does a few thousand unhappy gamers really imply all this doom and gloom for the industry ?
If games really only last us 60 days how are all these mmos going years later ?
Have you not seen the population of these games after 60 days? Nothing like what EQ, DAoC, and WoW used to be like, or even what the game is like at launch. Games are emptied after a few months, because a lot of them are just copy and pasted poor substitutes.
To deny that, is to be in denial of the serious problem this genre faces.
If you live on these forums, sure every game is dead. If you actually play them and ignore these forums you'd never know the game was dead and no one played it.
I just cant understand how people cant open up there mind, and REALLY see whats going on !
- Developers are LEAVING US NO CHOICE.
- People are ADDICTED TO PLAYING MMOS AND VIDEO GAMES. They have to play.
- People WILL PLAY THE LATEST.
- Developers are using MARKETING TRICKS, and everyone is getting sucked in.....Going back to point one We have NO CHOICE.
- MMOs are lasting 30 days.....OK, I'm done with that one. Now, whats the next one coming out ?
- 90% of you will play Wildstar, EQ Next, and Elders Scrolls Online....All 3, just because.
This vote with your Wallet is the newest and silliest saying that can be used on this site !
It seems like YOU may have a problem.
I have complete control and choice over what games I buy and play. If you really feel that you have lost total control over your actions then it's time to seek professional help.
Comments
But it's not with lots of gamers. Even a really popular movie will have a small number of people walking out of it, hating it. That's the people who are hating modern MMOs. It's a relatively small number of people who then come to forums like this and bitch and whine about it, but they are not statistically worthwhile to the industry. It seems like a lot on a forum, but it's nothing compared to the millions of people who are playing these games worldwide.
So yes, the problem is with these people who just don't like the same kinds of games that the overwhelming majority of gamers play and enjoy.
Played: UO, EQ, WoW, DDO, SWG, AO, CoH, EvE, TR, AoC, GW, GA, Aion, Allods, lots more
Relatively Recently (Re)Played: HL2 (all), Halo (PC, all), Batman:AA; AC, ME, BS, DA, FO3, DS, Doom (all), LFD1&2, KOTOR, Portal 1&2, Blink, Elder Scrolls (all), lots more
Now Playing: None
Hope: None
That's your problem then, isn't it? If you have no self control and developers can make a buck off of you, why in the world would they change? It is your fault and you know it.
More like the point above, where fanatical gamers are going to play whether they like the game or not, then are going to bitch about it later. That's the fault of the gamers and people without self control deserve what they get.
Played: UO, EQ, WoW, DDO, SWG, AO, CoH, EvE, TR, AoC, GW, GA, Aion, Allods, lots more
Relatively Recently (Re)Played: HL2 (all), Halo (PC, all), Batman:AA; AC, ME, BS, DA, FO3, DS, Doom (all), LFD1&2, KOTOR, Portal 1&2, Blink, Elder Scrolls (all), lots more
Now Playing: None
Hope: None
I'm not saying people don't have a right to have their own opinion. I was saying that if you hate every MMO that is currently out there, and can't find a mmo that fits you. Mmos just might not be for you anymore. I was responding to a previous post responding to this idea. Not sure where "consumer whorism" even fits in to this.
You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.
In answer to your first three questions:
Are we being forced into what we have now?
No -
Because we all have a choice to play or not to play. I've chosen not to play any MMO's the last 2 years. I think I'll get back into them but I'm not prepared to waste any time/money at present.
Are you liking it?
Yes -
I'm comfortable with my decision and not overly concerned that I haven't found my next MMORPG to invest all my spare time into yet. If it arrives then great! If it doesn't then I'll stick to other pursuits/hobbies.
Do we even have a vote?
Yes -
My decision not to play/pay is my vote.
What I realize is this - It's me who's in the minority!
The MMORPG universe has expanded and evolved drawing in many more people. Certain aspects/features that us older generation of MMO gamer expects or even demands to see, have been watered down, altered or dismissed to cater to the majority.
For businesses, maximizing profits will always be their number one goal. It's a numbers game and game developers are no different. Games are always designed to draw in $$ by reaching the maximum audience attainable.
If you don't agree with this, then ask yourself - Why have MMO's gone this way? If your conclusion differs from mine I'd like to hear it.
As I said before - I'm the one who's in the minority, as are my expectations of what constitutes a great MMORPG.
It all started for me with Asherons Call back in 1999! Those were the days!
Sorry, but voting with your wallet always happens, and will never stop. What your complaint appears to be is that not enough people are voting with their wallet in the way you would prefer, i.e. you are on the losing side of the economic election.
Note that it is "you *can* vote with your wallet", not "you have to vote with your wallet".
You are just saying you vote for everything. So? It is your choice to give up your vote. I don't play everything, and certainly don't give money much.
This.
I find it EXTREMELY hard to believe that someone who likes MMOs hates all MMOs.
Either you haven't tried NEARLY enough to find nostalgic games or just don't like MMOs.
If you want an "new" old school experience, I would say try Darkfall, Rift, Tera, Aion, Lineage 2, or some other game on that big ass list.
"As you read these words, a release is seven days or less away or has just happened within the last seven days those are now the only two states youll find the world of Tyria."...Guild Wars 2
Actually they are sailing, just not with you on board. But you are trying to tell the rest of us that we shouldn't be going on the cruise.
Thanx for the advice.
FFA Nonconsentual Full Loot PvP ...You know you want it!!
The real issue is you just described a heavily niche game, 3 WoW clones and a game that is older than dirt. Fact is we have had almost nothing but WoW clones come out for 5 years, the genre is just completely stale. A lot of new games on the horizon are breaking this mold but until they start coming out we are in a pretty sad era for this genre.
Voting with your wallet works? Then why isn't everyone doing it, cus all the MMOs in the past few years have been awful, anti-social, rollercoasters... Yes, each to their own; and everyone has a choice; it's just that some must be very easily pleased!
The genre is in trouble; and MMOs have became solo player console games. The next step is probably to have no chat features at all.
No trials. No tricks. No traps. No EU-RP server. NO THANKS!
...10% Benevolence, 90% Arrogance in my case!
1A.) Agreed, we are 'forced" to do nothing in MMO gaming, it's a luxury, it always has been and is part of the reason why I am opposed to F2P...
2A.) No, not really, Today's games are worse and more shallow than they should be for the age of this genre, and worse and more shallow than what they were, only with better graphics and now cash shops!
3.) Yes we have a vote... we CAN vote with our wallet and not play... but that only leaves....
and WHOM does that leave playing the game ?? Hmm?
Players just like you nariusseldon, that's who. Players like you weren't happy with how MMOs were designed years ago so you instigate and infiltrate, a word here, a word there, support this Devs idea, push for cash shops, until the genre comes around to your way of thinking. Slowly but surely promoting all the crap us some of us hate the most.
Notice I said "some". I am well aware that you and many others did not like how MMOs used to be, now they are closer to what you all wanted, and now you are happier. Marvelous.
All the time telling Players that if they don't like the "new and improved way" they can vote with their wallets. How convenient... nice way to get rid of the opposition.
Slick, real slick. Just like Politics.
( It's quite apparent the plan is working and that is what is so infuriating about it. Go ahead and report me for this one, I will consider it a compliment. )
"Trouble" is a matter of perspective. I am all for more solo MMOs. No chat ... all vent/mumble .. sounds ok to me. But seriously, even SP online games have chat now. As long as i can ignore & filter, chat is not a bad thing.
wow .. lots of conspiracy theories ... do you think i kill JFK too?
of course i post and support dev ideas that i like. Every gamer does that. Don't tell me you don't.
Truth is, you are confused between cause & effect. It is the devs who want us as an audience. If they have not evolve the genre, i wouldn't even be here.
And if you don't like it .. you guess it .. vote with your wallet.
this ^
we are not being forced to what we have now. We keep getting the same things because people keep supporting and accepting them and making them a big success for everyone else to follow instead of going beyond it.
I personally have already played Skyrim more than any mmorpg out there. I found more things to do in that game than an actual mmo where repeating the same content is the only form of progression. That doesnt mean i dont have my mmos of choice (GW2 and WoW) but i play mmos very casually to avoid massive repetitive activities that kill the enjoyment of any game.
Have you not seen the population of these games after 60 days? Nothing like what EQ, DAoC, and WoW used to be like, or even what the game is like at launch. Games are emptied after a few months, because a lot of them are just copy and pasted poor substitutes.
To deny that, is to be in denial of the serious problem this genre faces.
In order to be successful movie critics (the role they aspire to--wannabe developer pays even less--zero), they have to convince at least some of the movie-buying public that their analysis is more meaningful, more logical, more accurate than the average movie go-er's self-analysis is.
Siskel and Ebert got hate mail every single day, and lots of examples where they made brilliantly wrong calls. Because they weren't trying to predict which movies would be box offices successes...they were reviewing for artistic merit.
Something of a different animal from what the public buys, else Transformers could not have made money.
This site has many of the same issues as Critic vs Public.
So do Lit Professors (whose often choose fine, but sometimes unreadable books).
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
I'm happy with mostly everything. There's a lot of variety in MMOs today (racing, fps, strategy, fantasy etc.) and as far as the industry is concerned, it's still growing and more and more games are still being made with some pretty neat ones just on the horizon. And also many more people are playing MMOs today then in the days of yore. So overall, I think it's in a pretty good spot.
The problem is that a lot of people have a misconception about misconceptions. Actually, there needs to be a factual conception for there to be a misconception. But since there are a lot of conceptions of what an MMO is or what it can be, then one person's conception may differ from another's, and it would appear to them that the other has a misconception when in fact neither have misconceptions, but only differing conceptions, and actually there cannot be a misconception because there is no ultimate conception to be misconcepted (I made this word up lol).
Actually the populations of today's games (virtually all of the better ones released post WoW) is exactly the same population as the games pre-WoW, that is 56 - 500k. The only difference is WoW. EQ capped at 450k, swtor has more than that even after one year. Daoc got a couple hundred and dropped to 50 within a few years, same with AC - the other modern games almost all have double that.
So yep pretty much exactly the same population spread as before 50-500k.
[quote]I'm happy with mostly everything. There's a lot of variety in MMOs today (racing, fps, Yeah I agree, I think the OP messed up his topic because it really seems like he meant MMORPG which is a completely different subject than MMOs.
If you live on these forums, sure every game is dead. If you actually play them and ignore these forums you'd never know the game was dead and no one played it.
Who's really in denial ?
I just cant understand how people cant open up there mind, and REALLY see whats going on !
- Developers are LEAVING US NO CHOICE.
- People are ADDICTED TO PLAYING MMOS AND VIDEO GAMES. They have to play.
- People WILL PLAY THE LATEST.
- Developers are using MARKETING TRICKS, and everyone is getting sucked in.....Going back to point one We have NO CHOICE.
- MMOs are lasting 30 days.....OK, I'm done with that one. Now, whats the next one coming out ?
- 90% of you will play Wildstar, EQ Next, and Elders Scrolls Online....All 3, just because.
This vote with your Wallet is the newest and silliest saying that can be used on this site !
My WoW account was created at release in Nov. 2004, and I still have two accounts active today.
I also played LOTRO for 3+ years actively and still come back for updates nowadays (lifetime account).
I played SW:TOR for 6+ months.
I play GW2 since release and still play today.
It's not because some people have a short attention span that all people are the same.
My computer is better than yours.
It seems like YOU may have a problem.
I have complete control and choice over what games I buy and play. If you really feel that you have lost total control over your actions then it's time to seek professional help.