Why do some MMORPGs rely on endless grinding when progression feels shallow?

In a lot of titles you see an endless loop: daily quests, same item drops, and the sense that moving up the skill tree or getting that new mount feels more like a reward for time than for actual mastery. This pattern isn’t unique to one or two games; it shows up from classic titles to newer releases.

Two observations:

1. Many of these loops tie heavily into the in‑game economy. Selling loot or bartering for rare items sustains server income and makes it seem like effort matters.
2. From a design perspective, the feedback on each cycle is low‑impact—click a button, watch the timer, get a vague, low‑utility reward. If the payoff isn’t substantial, players can feel the experience is hollow.

I’m not saying grinding is bad on its own, but I wonder whether it serves a purpose beyond monetization. Does a single game successfully integrate a grind that actually enhances narrative or skill without making the pace feel like a chore? Or is the grind simply a buffer that stretches content until developers need to replenish it with a patch?

Looking forward to hearing your takes. Do you think endless grind adds depth to a game, or does it just inflate time investment? Any real‑world examples where this cycle improved, or hurt, the long‑term experience?