Honestly, Settlement Upgrades have been bad since the start and criticised correctly for it. They feel like a system that would feel better suited in a F2P Mobile game, than a MMO game such as New World.
–Town Upkeep–
These should just be the quests we have been doing from the start, they work, and are great for new players.
–Town Upgrades–
These should not be managed by the company anymore, but all players can donate to a “build order”. After the donation is complete players who contributed gain standing for that town/city.
If needed keep a limit per every 30 minutes that players can donate with.
Preferably these should be Fiber, Food and Precious Metal focused.
Example:
- Forge Level 3 - x/5,000 Iron Ingots, x/5,000 Timber, x/10,000 Linen , x/10,000 silver Ingots, x/10,000 meals.
After the normal cooldown will happen while it builds.
This allows the players in the server to maintain the upgrades, and gain standing at a cost for working on them. Considering the changes to the way gold is now shared from taxes being based on the Settlement Points, this should be a net benefit to everyone.
–Fort Upgrades–
These should be managed by the owning company still, but they should have a straight total that you can provide to.
Preferably these should be Metallic Metals, and Wood focused.
Example:
- Gates Tier 1 - x/10,000 Iron Ingots, x/10,000 Timber, x/5,000 Linen , x/5,000 silver Ingots, x/5,000 meals.
After the normal cooldown will happen while it builds.
I would also argue that this system might be a good way to encourage more world PVP by having a bonus to the amount deposited if they had to be dropped off at the Fort itself while flagged for PVP, while the Fort itself is held by the faction donating.
– Life Style Upgrades –
Residence of the city should be able to progress all the possible Buffs, by doing related tasks within the town without having to accept any quests. Such as Mining for MIning, making Weapons for Weaponsmithing.
Allow for 3 slots for each of the three categories.
Add a cooldown for 4-6 days for the Gathering and Crafting Buffs to encourage rotations.
Once the buff drops off then the bar has to be filled again by doing related activities.
I don’t think this system is the best, but I think that it would at least be better than what we have with minimal changes on AG’s side of things.