MMO design and marketing paradigms demand that dedication, not skill be rewarded. MMO Culture is what it is, and it has been formed and trained for the Holy Trinity Fantasy Grind. The more variations you have, the more of them you lose. There is a notable segment that finds all context either unnecessary or abhorable and considers only how fast they can get the biggest numbers to be of any value. To them, maxing is the point of an MMO and while it sounds absurd and abstract, in practice, it is absolutely correct. That is the culture, and it is the only culture that won't cry foul and being charged a subscription fee.

If you want to make an MMO for a different culture you have to either A) create a new culture or B) NOT charge a subscription fee. If you choose A, as Planetside has, and don't do it right (timing, catering, marketing) you are going to have smaller numbers. Maybe too small.