Good choices so far. If you wait long enough you might even consider Age of Conan. funcom is a good company and is one of the original mmo creators with Anarchy Online. AoC is just over 6 weeks out but that could give you plenty of time to read up on what is known as the NDA is still in effect. Tons of info on it right here.

If you are really immersed in WoW you may just want to go out and see the sun and do some real life activities. Most people that fall in love with an mmo have a hard time trying other's as you can not help but compare and expect a similar (hope for a better) experience. I think change is great and you will not like/like certain things about other games you try, but do try them. Also, i think you can try LoTRO free for 2 weeks? can't go wrong with a free peek.  Good luck!

Nothing about TCoS reminds me of WoW in the slightest. I am sure that people will draw comparisions to all other mmo's as we played other games and when we get to play TCoS we will know more.

WAR to me looks like it was made to directly and obviously compete with WoW.  AoC and Darkfall as well. I do not get that feeling from TCoS. TCoS sounds and looks totally different than the 3 aforementioned mmo's.

Personally I am not interested in WAR or Darkfall in the slightest. I might try AoC but will wait at least 1 month after release to make a decision. Hopefully we will have some word about EU release for spellborn in the next 2 months. If I can get my hands on TCoS I will not look back. 

But please, play what you like. There is almost too much to choose from and some of the mmo's out there may have to go away as many already have. And some just refuse to die, i.e. Horizons. Played that 1 too.

From what I see, many people are going to try to get a copy of the game once it hits shelves in the EU. Sounds like you won't be stopped from playing from the US on a EU server. This may just keep me out of AoC depending upon its Euro release. There is still no set date to dangle in front of us for an American release....only to be pushed back, lol. And no publisher too.

Someday this will take off. I just hope it succeeds and is half the fun as it looks.

1. fallout was a good idea. that was fun

2. AC3, but after the abysmal AC2 i dont think turbine would touch that even with unlimited funds.

3. might play AoC until...

4. TCoS.  /e prays to the gods of MMO's for patience.

I never got fully into RP but had fun with many people enjoying themselves doing so. And as far as following the lore of the game it looks like the dev's of TCoS are headed in the direction that players will need to get into the story arc in order to solve quests and discover things. I could be wrong on this but I hope it is something that will happen and make the game more immersive. (if they would ever launch). mostly I miss logging in and getting 20-40 hello's. Seems harder for me to meet the grateful/helpful types in newer games and get into a group that came over from another mmo.

great topic tho as RP does make a difference in regards to personal experience.  (i.e.) what the hell. I can quest. 4 hours of sleep is good enough for what I do irl.

I did not care for WoW after 8+ months of 25-40 hours a week play. I went back to (of all things) AC1. I have yet to have had anywhere near the fun of AC1. Thus I still find graphics very over-rated. Gameplay and community are foremost for me. I wont say WoW is a bad game, it is just not for me. I do think several of the new mmo's will be better IMO.

I do not think any other game, even if it is unanimously voted better could wrench all the WoWies from there purple crap. Too many feel they have too much to lose.  Several better games already exist for me but for the aforementioned reason it will be a long long time until we see any mmo with as many subscriptions. Personally am dying inside waiting for NDA to lift and EU servers for TCoS.

Great questions as I am also wondering about the PvE server experience. Watching this for answers/info.

I really like what I am reading about how the game will work. I think it will be far from simple. They say "easy to learn. Difficult to master." Or something like that. Yes, momvement and afst keystrokes and lag will help/hurt you. That can be said about any mmo. What is attracting me is the trowing out the need for a tank and healer and dps type of mmo. player skill is needed and much of what I am reading about combat is the strategy of how you build your skill deck AND how well you use your skills to buff/debuff and build combos. Many spells effect your movement and some I have read about at TCoS forums are said to make you not even consider moving at all. This game will be far far away from a duke nukem button mashing zergfest.  I feel this game is working hard to be different and good at it. Not just different for the sake of being different. I can't wait to play!

I do not think there is anything to worry about yet. The game will come out in Europe and teh NDA will lift. Then there will be real stories of what gameplay is really like. Most importantly if it swims it will get US support. Especially if it really does well. If it sinks in Europe then it wont make it anywhere. In theory, if it does well there could be several publishers bidding up the rights. I too may very well play as soon as they open up European servers. I think it will be well worth the minor investment as I am really interested in what I am reading so far.