I find it quite humorous that a staff member is allowed to get away with starting this thread. It is implying that the game itself does not merit continuous playing, but rather it requires a virtuous love of community. The comments wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. The title,"What keeps you playing?", assumes that the reader does not naturally desire to play the game. The inherent implication is that "playing" PokeMMO is a chore which requires inspiration to continue. No one ever asks someone, "What keeps you doing "x"?", if they expect the other person to enjoy "x". You did dress up the original post with some hints of "Hey, this game might actually be fun" by citing the activities of someone who is extremely bored and addicted to this game. However, I think almost anyone who has played this game for an extended period of time has become numb to the nostalgia, bored of the tiny balance updates, and sick of "hunting" for shinys. In any game, the answer to the overarching question of this thread should simply be "It's fun".
Oh, and congratulations on your CM position.