Hey, so I haven't wrote anything substantial in several weeks, so what the hell. 
 
If I made a MMO, I would do a few things differently than the status quo. For example: 
 
-Several months before I released an open Beta, I would release the character creator for free. I think if people got a chance to make a detailed character, they would really want to play when the game came out. Also, a detailed character creator can be a lot of fun. 
 
-I would make the price low and sexy. Say, 5.00 USD a month. That or I would go Guild Wars style and give it a box price but no monthly fee. I guess it would depend on the beta numbers and how many people were interested in the game. 
 
-I would NOT use stupid points to nickel and dime players. No in-game exclusive stores or any of that junk. I realize some games don't do this, or some games do just to support themselves, and that's justified.  
 
-I'd put some work into a good spam filter. I was playing Rappelz today (yeah, I know) and they have no spam filter in place. No fun.  
 
-Create-A-Class. Must I say more?  
 
-Some type of in-game system so you can join a party with other players of similar interests. Say, close to your level or on the same quest.  
 
-The option to skip the tutorial.  
 
-I would hunt down the sites selling in-game money for profit. Really, are they that hard to catch? Just type in "_insert game name here_  gold" and you can find the sites.  
 
-I might make two versions. One that runs from an internet browser (ex: runescape) and one that is downloadable. Both the same game, but the downloadable one with much better graphics, and maybe some other benefits. But the browser one would be good to have to, so people can play from anywhere. I would also throw in a little bonus for people who use the downloadable (like some gold or a pet, etc.) so that people don't just see the browser version and think that's all there is.  
 
-Raise the level cap every time someone reaches it. This would frustrate the hell out of people, but wouldn't it be cool?  
 
-Weekly updates. Every week add some quests, or items, or pets or whatever just to keep giving people stuff to do. Great example of this is Runescape (even though many people hat that game, the team that makes it is on the ball when it comes to new content). 
 
-Make it rated M. Or A. Maybe put some drugs and sex and violence in. I hate to say it, but that's the kind of shit that attracts people.  
 
Ok, Ok, before I go too far i'll stop. Anyone else got some good suggestions or have a bone to pick with mine?

"-Make it rated M. Or A. Maybe put some drugs and sex and violence in. I hate to say it, but that's the kind of shit that attracts people.   "

Developers think of many of these and, well, it's just not possible to get all of these going at once.

This is actually pretty hilarious, when you think about it.  Instead of doing a write up of what you think would make it the most fun, before you even get a chance to make a game, you think of the way to make it the most profitable.

I feel like cool loot has to be more accessible. Not necessarily good loot, but at least make loot that is respectable looking early on. I hate when I start an MMO and I have to look like I coated myself in tree bark and fuzzy shoes for the first twenty levels.  
 
That and I feel more gear sets are a must. If I got to add anything an MMO's, it would be making a nice looking set for every level of accomplishment. For example a PvP for the casual, and a PvP set for people who really put time in to PvP. Then a small dungeon set, stuff that's available to everyone who can get the small number of people together, a mid level dungeon set for more advanced groups, and a high level dungeon set for the crazy people. 

" This is actually pretty hilarious, when you think about it.  Instead of doing a write up of what you think would make it the most fun, before you even get a chance to make a game, you think of the way to make it the most profitable. "

" Developers think of many of these and, well, it's just not possible to get all of these going at once. "

" @Fripplebubby said:

"-Make it rated M. Or A. Maybe put some drugs and sex and violence in. I hate to say it, but that's the kind of shit that attracts people.   "

Yeah, that's a great idea! I mean, we all know how successful the last MMO which tried to do that was! "

I'd definitely like to see more games release the character creator (or similar) early.  It does make you feel more compelled to buy the actual game when it finally comes out.  Spore and Dragon Age both did it and I think it had the desired effect.  Borderlands had that Upgrade Tree thing available which was pretty cool.
 
Did Champions release the character creator beforehand?  I can't remember.

Create a class probably wouldn't work for an MMO, for obvious reasons.