Why the all the work creating detailed worlds and backstories only to have players not really interact with the story on an a truly ongoing and story changing basis?
Aradune - I think players have interacted with the world and the ongoing storyline of various MMOGs, but just not to the extent that we all want to be able to. Hopefully, as tech gets better, and devs more experienced, we'll see much more dynamic worlds. One of the challenges is that, unlike a book or a typical linear storyline, the player can't be the protagonist, but that by no means makes it such that players can't have an impact on the world. They should be able to take part in the unfolding history of that world, and be recognized for it... we've some pretty cool ideas in this area and it's an important one for us.