A lot of the framing of modern Japanese fantasy derives from Dragon Quest. There is some MMO-specific stuff mixed in at times, like the raiding terms, but the tropes mostly shake out from a time well before the Internet was a thing.

The bit about old clans and such is especially not an MMO-specific thing, it’s just life. It’s something everyone experiences, and the exploration of those themes in varied ways account for a large part of why the show is so universally praised.

That said, if the MMO framing helps you to get a deeper understanding of the show you go for it. Part of appreciating art is finding your own ways to engage and relate with it.