FFXI was the game that got me into MMOs as well. I was in high school at the time and my brother was managing an EB games. He got a hold of a promotional copy of the beta and gave it to me. I had to go out and buy an outdated (but still expensive) graphics card to put in my parents outdated computer.

I was pretty confused at first, as FFXI at the time (not sure if it does now) had no tutorial. It just dropped you into the world. I didn't even know I needed to equip a weapon until a plant out in Gustaberg owned me. Soloing mainly composed of auto-attacking until you could use a WS. Money was hard to come by. Skills were non-existent.

Then I joined my first group in the Valkrum dunes, gained several levels in an hour or two, and I was hooked.