Content is king. The less of it, the more grinding is necessary. No one ever thinks to use the players to generate content, or have dynamic content based on players actions/inactions but whatever.

No way, open world single player RPGs are nothing like MMOs and absolutely do not scratch the same itch, as evidenced by Final Fantasy and TES both having separate MMOs apart from the single player traditional stuff.

What you are describing is really an idle RPG. As a fully grown adult with too many adulting things on my plate, idle RPGs sate the itch without requiring me to understand a plethora of twitch mechanics and one off situations. Log in, configure the strategy, do some light maintenance, and off they go.

“only re-sub after major content drops.”

Absolutely fucking love this game. It’s the first MMO I’ve ever played that truly respects your time. Just hit level 39 last night.

MMO’s really need to trend towards not requiring you to grind for several hours to progress, even at end game. I love em, but I’m long past those days of not giving a shit what I do with my free time. This probably applies to games in general, but whatever.