I have been playing LotJ for close to 14 years now. In that time, the longest I have gone without playing is probably 2 months.

There is always something to do, or some action to get in on and there is a fully story refresh about every 1.5 to 2 years.

There's 3 Eras per timeline, progressing from Old Republic through what some may recognize as the Original Trilogy (but typically only familiar in that there is an Empire and a Rebellion. Most recently it was an Empire of War Droids with an Emperor taught lightsaber skills by a Force Ghost), to the EU or sometimes the Sequel Trilogy.

But that's the only thing the timelines have in common. Every time the story refreshes, it's some new scenario and a chance to make your mark on the MUD. Become a Senator, be a Sith Lord, run your own engineering corporation and develop new and exciting equipment for the players to use.

Starting up a new character can be difficult and there are parts that can be a grind but the Immortals are always listening to feedback and make significant changes often, to help balance the game. Once the grind is over, your efforts are rewarded with an open world before you with only your imagination as the limit.