In 2010 I talked with my friend about how I was disappointed by the lack of innovation in the MMORPG genre, compared to the 1990s. I argued that there hasn't been any new, groundbreaking innovation in MMORPGs, since the release of Asheron's Call in 1999 (and Everquest before it). Because all basic things we were accustomed to in MMORPGs were all there when the 1990s were ending. And the 2000s brought only nicer graphics, VoIP and MMORPGs on consoles (Final Fantasy XI now has its 20th anniversary). To be fair - those nicer graphics also matter, larger, higher resolution screens and more powerful PCs matter. In 2000 I used 15" 800x600 CRT and in 2010 I used 22" 1680x1050 LCD (there were 2 monitors between them).
Gameplay of MMORPGs in 2010 was kinda the same as gameplay in the year 2000, but easier and more accessible. That's why I thought in a year or two there will come out an MMORPG using motion controls. And in three or four years an MMORPG using neural network AI and player created and modified game world (basically Everquest Next which never came out). So I expected changes in player's interactivity, in graphics and in other areas. For example, I predicted that by 2015 it will be normal to have voice changers implemented in games, allowing a player to sound like their character, matching their voice and looks (not only in MMORPGs). The only actual changes that have happened since 2010 are more advanced graphics and microtransactions.
Characters in Asheron's Call:
I doubt we will see major revolutions in MMORPG genre during the 2020s. I think we need to wait for the 2030s. During 2030s there will be major changes in many, many areas of life, I think. Btw, I don't really care about mobile MMORPGs, so I won't even write about them. You can't properly play an MMORPG using only a smartphone or a tablet touchscreen.
Global economy doubles in product every 15-20 years. Computer performance at a constant price doubles nowadays every 4 years on average. Livestock-as-food will globally stop being a thing by ~2050 (precision fermentation and more). Human stupidity, pride and depravity are the biggest problems of our world.