IDEAS FOR RYZOM

I think you're right... for different reasons many Frenches don't want to use English.
There's an historical background of rivalry between the French and the English, and even if the two countries are allies now, many prejudices from both side still remain.
French was the international language of diplomacy and international affairs from the 17th century to the mid-20th century, but after WW2 English became the international language in lieu of French...
For those historical reasons France still tries to minimise the impact of english on its own culture (the "cultural exception") and to promote the use of French overseas (through Francophonie and Alliance Française's worldwide network).
France is reluctant to use English language the same way U.K. is reluctant to use €uro.
Even if French students learn English, average skill is very low compared to many other educated countries, and outside classroom you don't have real opportunities to speak or listen English. Every English-speaking movies or TV shows are dubbed in French.

English native speakers might think that Frenchies are wrong to offer such resistance to English... but let's say in the next century Chinese become the international language, don't you think that English native speakers would be reluctant to use Chinese too? ^^

Anyway, to answer Breony, language barrier is a major issue. I know many young or "mature" people playing on Aniro and who can't chat in English... that's the sad reality ;)