One thing hard-core crafters and traders hate is when the settlement infrastructure gets downgraded after an unsuccessful defense of a corrupted invasion.
While companies/factions will muster every available level 60 for wars, the participation rate when it comes to invasions is comparatively anemic. I’ve asked in-game about this on three different servers, and the response is that it’s just too hard, and/or not worth it.
Imagine a server where settlement control isn’t decided by who has the better talent for war, but who has the better talent for governing. Every few days, hold an election instead of a war to determine who gets control, with only the homeowners of that settlement allowed to vote.
Right now, settlements are run by PvPers for PvPers. Crafters and traders are just free-range livestock working their tax plantations. They really don’t care if the infrastructure gets downgraded because they aren’t accountable to the people who value it most.
I think this would dramatically enhance the role-play possibilities in New World. It would also expand the audience for, and the revenue from, your game without requiring any major rework of the game’s code. A few new database tables to keep track of the vote tallies, and a couple of election interface screens is all it would take.
New World has all the makings of a great MMORPG. Don’t settle for it just being an MMOPVPG.