Even as an avid MMO player, I can admit that they're all essentially the same thing.
Why do I play WoW? Cause other people actually play it and that doesn't appear likely to change anytime soon. I imagine it'd be frustrating to level a character to end game in an MMO only to discover there's no one else playing it.
*shrug* 4 million active subscriptions in Asia. Who knows how well it'll do in America. Things ARE looking up though in terms of subscriptions, but only time will tell. I've leveled 5 characters to max (1 in vanilla, 1 in BC, and 3 in Wrath.) and played end game in all through it. If you can say anything besides max level in WoW matters, then I think that's why we have such different opinions. Because I've never looked at WoW from the perspective of the level I was at. I looked at it as if, "I'm not max level, I'm not playing the game." And even then it's not all that exciting. But maybe that's just my jaded experience and that's why I'm playing Aion now.
Sure you can say there are similarities to WoW and Aion, but I mentioned the differences. I've played both now, and I mentioned it:
You can't transform gear in WoW. You can't participate in end game content in WoW at low levels. And Endgame content in WoW is fractured between broken pvp and encounters that are boring in pve.
As a shaman (in wow obviously), you used to get a totem every ten levels.... Placing a totem isn't REALLY game breaking. Getting Bloodlust at level 70 isn't all that game breaking. Druids get new forms every 10 levels...but there are only 4 forms (not including moonkin or tree which you have to spec into deep balance or restoration). And all during that leveling you're grinding away trying to hit max level, in ugly gear, to experience mediocre (and now reused) content.
I absolutely think Aesthetics in an mmo matter. I care about textures on armor. I care that my character is appealing to the eye. I enjoy having a completely unique character, which the possibility of someone making the same face, body, and armor set is pretty much nil.
So right now I'm enjoying my unique/personal character in Aion. I'm enjoying the modularity of 3 dimensional game play. I'm enjoying slowed down, strategic combat.
I'm 18 in Aion. I'm two levels before seeing if things change again. I'll report back. I played WoW because it was fun. I'm now playing Aion because I'm enjoying it much more.
err... is there anything wrong with that? Different games, different niches. I've already told a bunch of my WoW friends not to come over just because a few of us have made the switch. They're happy with the WoW, and if they're content there really isn't a reason to come over. You'll constantly be making comparisons between the two games, and trying to poke holes in a brand-spanking-new game.
Things will change in Aion, probably for the better over time. Look at Age of Conan. TONS of people are re-subscribing, because they made enormous overhauls to a game. I think Aion will definitely keep progressing around the spectrum of good/fun/pleasureable. In my experience, wow hasn't been doing that for me lately, and that's why I'm not playing it.
PS: Alex,I got a feeling the ui will become much more modular over time. I'm eagerly awaiting it too, I hate not having mouse-over abilities.