I agree that Cata was a slump. I don't think, however, that SWTOR is going to keep people away from wow for very long. I'm not bashing it at all because it does look pretty neat. I feel like I've just heard it all before..

I can't actually figure out why I'm still on WoWinsider almost every day, because I haven't actually played the game in weeks. I unsubscribed a few months ago but, because I was paying the long rate, I still have game time until January. I love reading about the game, but I don't have any motivation to play it anymore. I want to see it get better and more interesting again, but I'm not sure the damage can be repaired to my relationship with it.

All of the friends that I have that quit WoW long before me, and even some that never liked WoW but played other MMOs are going to TOR. That's why I think it's going to hold my attention longer than any other startup MMO on the block. People that I've always wanted to play with will be there. That's what was so great about WoW once, the friends that I brought with me and the friends that I made there, but it just isn't worth it if your friends are all gone.