there are ways to play dota without paying a cent... but that's off topic i guess on topic: i agree that most games nowadays, such as dota, starcraft2, team fortress 2, just to name a few, give the player "instant" gratification. The "problem" with mmorpgs, especially one that has been around for a long time, is the long "start-up" and time sink to derive equal, if not more, satisfaction and enjoyment.