For a while now I've been playing EVE and I have been able to convert the game to English. The game isn't 100% English as locations and quests are still in Chinese but the map of the Universe as well as all items are in English so it's playable, though personally I'd say 90% English is more than enough to play EVE.

There are about 6000 EVE players online at any one time because the Chinese believe EVE is more expensive, boring and a waste of time. Many Chinese players only play one or two hours a week so a monthly fee of 66 Yuan is too much for them, a single wow timecard lasts them for months, but as WoW cost me more than 150 a month I'd say EVE is much better (though the money the game cost me never was my problem).

Also the levelling system in EVE is very different so to advance from one level to another can take anywhere between 30 minutes to a month so another reason why the Chinese find EVE boring, you don't immediately see the effects of the skill you just learned.

EVE is seen as a waste of time because making money is very different to WoW and it's harder to learn how to play the game as well as the fact that the entire PK system is different. In EVE there is no PK as in 1v1. EVE is entirely war-based in which Corporations (clans) go to war against another Corporation and engage in all-out war which can last for a long time and can be between many ships (last week my Alliance went to war and there were 50 from my Corp and Alliance and many lost ships and equipment). Losing a battle in WoW has no effect on you, as a player other than that you don't get as much honour or rewards. In EVE losing a battle can lead to destruction of your ship, loss of skill points and even your solar system(s), and so the stakes are much higher and people really fight hard.

EVE isn't for all players and many people don't like the fact that it takes so long to get a good ship and money but if you enjoyed Privateer or Edge of Chaos (I love both deeply) then EVE might be something for you.

If you guys are interested I can post the simple guide on how to turn Chinese EVE into English and possibly other languages. I also recommend taking a look at the EVE official Website http://www.eve-online.com/