Legends of Kesmai for the win.
Like a dungeons and dragons game.
Originally,
'Islands of Kesmai' version written in 1980?
Wiki it, at one time, I thought I read, it was X's and O's and stuff, like a typed document.
Next it got an update to 2d, sort of like UO, but like a checkerboard map, no 'fluid motion.'
Players do a move about every 3 seconds. Screen was 7 by 7 squares.
Very fun, very intense, and very much a long term mmorpg.
The higher levels and skill levels took much time, years even.
The game could barely get a bug fixed because the 2d code was written over the original code and the original programmers were gone? And no one knew how to program the old language? Depends who you ask.
Could play at AoL for a lot per hour.
Could play LoK and some other games at gamestorm.com for only 14.99/month.
Gamestorm also had Air Warrior II, then III - the prequals to Aces High.
Then, EA Sports bought LoK, and shut it down, never to be forgiven by the players.
I was on the docks with other players when it closed.
"Just say NO!" to EA.
"EA Sports, its in the game"... EA SPORTS WILL CLOSE YOUR GAME!!!
There are runors that the game was remade, in new code, updated with new lands too.
Just rumors though!
If true, it is the winner of any 'time' contest.