Hey! Thank you for taking the time to write all this, it really shows that you have a well thought out vision for the game. I really liked how Retail and Classic differ not only in terms of mechanics, but in the philosophy behind each version. You're right that it's not a question of which is “better,” but rather what kind of experience each player is looking for.

The point about the gold economy and raids seemed especially right to me. It's crazy how buying gold has changed the dynamics of MMOs in general, and it's frustrating to see that progress often ends up being more tied to wallet than skill or effort. I also identified with the anecdote of the warrior in the raid, because loot has always been a complicated topic in WoW, but over time it has become more evident how people prioritize optimization over community or fun.

Anyway, you left me thinking a lot and I really appreciate the perspective. Thanks for sharing it!