Although the former is done with each instance with any addon repeatedly for naught, it nevertheless continues to play. WoW is more than the normal character develop and improve equipment but also it offers a community and contacts that are otherwise not have in real life.
Although WoW in my view still serious shortcomings has (separate Sever player with a limited number, no player housing, barely Player Based Kontent, underdeveloped occupations ...) so it is but a milestone in the MMORPG history.