Why do all of the Maple copy cat games keep dying?

the current generation of gamers believes graphics are more important than gameplay, or so I've seen.

As of 2013, 3D graphics still suck. They just don't do it for me. It may have come a long way, but it's still not good enough.

Having said that, most MapleStory "copy-cats" still have pomegranate graphics and look like 2003 Maplestory. MapleStory isn't perfect either; some animations after Tempest look complete pomegranate and Zero's are choppy as hell. Some old graphics still aren't being updated, like weapon afterimages, arrows or Soul Arrow. Yet, it's the best out there. Most of the problems are due to laziness and budget rather than limitations in technology.

When I play games, I really only notice the graphics first. If they're bad (in comparison to other games of this time), then it just takes away from the experience. I most likely couldn't play it if it were a MMORPG, because it would mean I would have to constantly face it. It's not like Pac-Man, which can be fun with simple graphics, but you don't come back to regularly. The thing is, I can only continue playing that game if the gameplay is good. Even if the graphics are excellent, it would do no good if the gameplay is boring.

In a sense, this makes graphics more important than gameplay to me. But in the end, they both matter. a lot.