Given the discussion here, I think this blog discussing WoW (which I've been playing for 2+ years) and SWTOR(eagerly anticipating this) and basically dissecting if the two really are direct rivals?

http://darthhater.com/2009/09/30/swtor-vs-...ally-a-rivalry/

End of day, WoW of today is waaaay different from Vanilla. WoW evolved over time to what it is today. Other new MMO's often are just rushed too fast into retail before being actually being ready. Which usually ends up with lots of complaints, QQ's etc from people who start playing & have some sort of WoW experience.

SWTOR will have the hardcore SW fans & then the numerous MMO gamers looking for the next big thing. SWTOR seems to be leaning towards more story & character based progression playstyle than WoW's Raiding & PvP focus.

Let's just hope Bioware doesn't succumb to pressure to release an incomplete game to retail too soon!

Cheers!