One of the things that made EQ very compelling to me was the preparations for something and if you think about it, everything we do in the game is preparation:
I think a huge part of the MMORPG virtual life lies in the "preparations". The experience is the journey, not just the destination. I think what has been lost along the way with modern MMOs is that the journey is not viewed as part of the experience but as a hurdle and it is shortened and minimized. Too many "modern" gamers want instant gratification and want to log in and start combat like a MOBA. MMOs that have catered to the MOBA crowd have done so by eliminating the immersive reality of their virtual world and jumping right to the rewards, combat, final fight, instant gratification.
We all know this and VR has said that this is why they want to make a niche game - to get back to this experience. So, I think we all agree.
What I ask is that we don't take any shortcuts and don't skimp on this part and that includes preparations. Preparing for everything. Part of the living vicariously through my character was doing all the preparations I could. I probably only used a fraction of everything I always had and carried but I always made a point to get everything I might need. That includes stocking up a backpack full of food and water for a long walk. It includes saving all the possible quest pieces just in case I need them someday. Carrying all sorts of potions, clickies, bandages.
So preparing for something needs to carry fun and challenge, not just the "something". If I need to hike across a mountain range to get to a town, I want the journey to be a challenge. If I am working on tradeskills, I hope its a real challenge and a goal to work towards, itself.
I found long extensive quests to be the most fantastic thing. Epic quests were, IMO, the culmination and ideal example of everythign EQ stood for. PoT flagging took over a YEAR of working towards it (including leveling up, gearing up, etc.).
Thos gigantic journeys are where the memories are made.