WoW in it’s prime is nearly undefeatable by a new game without the proper marketing and hype. While this game definitely had it’s hype, it isn’t really ‘casual’ hype. WoW attracted an entire new audience of people with broad advertising like Television commercials, while encouraging those new players to invite all their friends. If any game wants to beat WoW, they’ll need a top notch advertising team, lots of money, and lots of celebrities to be in their commercials. Just making a good game isn’t good enough. (This is all in terms of sales subscribers etc). I can mention World of Warcraft to any person in my age range , whether they’re tech savvy or not, and they’ll know what it is. Until I can do that with Guild Wars 2, I doubt it will surpass WoW.
And not to mention how different this game is. It’s no secret that a lot of people are afraid of new things (While others, like me, are attracted to it). I have dozens of friends who have tries every WoW clone that has come out, but yet since Guild Wars 2 is taking a new approach to MMORPG, they’re afraid to give it a try, afraid to lay down their money and give it a chance (Although it is a bit expensive….).
Anyways, these are my opinions.