I don't think "end game" is the real problem. Rather it is only a subset of a much larger problem. The real problem lies in how MMOs are defined.
I couldn't agree with this more. Certain commonalities for the genre are starting to define and thus limit the genre itself. People are starting to define an MMORPG or "MMO" as a game with level, and endgame dungeon runs and endgame gear acquisition.
That's certainly the case with Tera and most modern MMORPGs I've played. Literally most of the only thing is does differently is having pretty colors and Elin and a fun combat system. Other than that, it's one of the most formulaic MMORPGs I've ever played. Super instanced, super focused on getting to the endgame as quickly as possible, super focused on endgame dungeons and gear, super instance, and super focused on the tank, healer, dps trinity.
I'm not even sure if the rules of an MMORPG are even unspoken, anymore. It feels almost like the spoken rules of an MMORPG are maximizing the conventions of the genre. Good combat, good challenge, balanced classes, and endgame dungeons with a chatroom seem to define the MMORPG, today.
But theoretically do we need these details that cling on the modern definition of an MMORPG? The question that stands for any developer (and it is a difficult question indeed) is: how can one create a unique and interesting world that has some sort of dynamic with the players; one that the players may interact with in some way?
I agree. We need to get back to the theory of "what makes an RPG" and "what makes and MMORPG", rather than following in footsteps. And what makes a world fun, and what makes a compelling virtual world, what makes a compelling online game, and what makes a compelling role playing game. That than reiterating on and refining conventions.
As someone mentioned in another thread, in some ways, Minecraft is a more unique and innovative MMORPG that most modern MMORPGs, and it's not even an MMORPG. Nonetheless, playing Minecraft with others on a server achieved a similar experience to play an MMORPG. And felt like a totally fresh experience when it came out and you could play on a Minecraft server with friends.
What I think we need, are more ways of interacting with and being immersed in a virtual world. And there's a multitude of ways of doing that. Whether combat or questing or crafting or building or selling, there's no one or even one dozen ways of playing a role in an RPG. And I think we need new ideas and variety.