Its pretty simple - you get an online MMO you can dip in and out of [pardon the pun DiP] when you choose for no monthly fee. For years.

Its a great franchise - its the Lord of the Rings!!!!!

As a pure hobby I cant see that a lifetimes play [10 years or so probably?] that works out at $20/year. You can even afford to not play for months and return if something new happens and still be money in! If there was a lifetime option on WoW and expansions didnt cost money I would prob pay for a WoW lifetime account - and again I dont play WoW anymore!