RIP ShadowBane, WB Anarchy Online
Even though I had previously stated that I would be playing ShadowBane until it shuts down on July 1st, I have changed my mind. An MMORPG without the MMO is no fun at all. Especially one like ShadowBane, where the entire end-game revolves around PvP combat. There is almost no one on anymore. I am officially pronouncing ShadowBane dead to me.
The second MMO I played (with the first being that craptastic game Runescape) was Anarchy Online. It was fun, but getting stuck in the Temple of the Three Winds for 3 months unable to level because I kept dying just before I got enough XP is NOT fun. So I stopped playing, found ShadowBane, and never looked back. Until now. I’ve installed AO again, and relearned all my nanos and attacks. In the past couple of days I went from level 50 to level 65. No small feat (IMHO) after my previous inability to level. I also got involved in a bit of intrigue regarding a previously banned player. More on that once I find out whether I can blab about it without guild repercussions if anyone finds out.

If you want a good pvp game, try Eve Online. It’s one of the best MMORPGs imho.
But the question remains: is it free? I may look into it anyway. How is the combat speed, fast or slow? (relative to other games)