Swing, have you played WoW? PvP in there is constantly filled with people camping low lvl areas killing all the quest givers, guards, and quest monsters that people need, along with any fool lowbie that happens to attack them.
I meant Full Loot and the Pkers attacking first.
I think we might get more players if those 2 things were curbed.
Maybe have it level based: 90% protection at Lv1, minus 10% per level (As long as you don't attack first).
No protection once you hit Lv 10 or 11.
But that only counts for retaining equipped items and loot up to 1000 caps base value.
(So we don't get Lv1 Barter alts for couriering piles of valuables)
The protection could be hit% and DR (vs attacking PK only), as well as some kind of Karma/Tagging system.
It would only apply to characters 3+ levels higher than you, but some Karma system for PKing and killing townspeople (in addition to Reputation) at all levels.
I would make it realistic, though- no Telepathy, but also taking into account the power of Word-Of-Mouth. (Also the fact taht FO has some mystical stuff in the form of Karma)
It's lame-ish, but I'd put up with it if it meant more players.
Perhaps sweeten the pot- RT monster speed is 50% at Lv 1, plus 5%/level to full amount, and Battle Timer for hitting exit grids is Zero at Lv 1 then +10% per level to full amount.
Some bonuses:
Gathering: 1 XP per personally gathered material at Lv1, per 2 items at lv2, per 3 at Lv 3, etc.
May stop at Lv 10 or earlier, or go on to lvl cap.
Crafting: 1 XP per craft (not per item in a batch), including intermediate materials such as Gunpowder and Metal Parts. At Lv2 goes down to per 2 craftings, etc.
May stop at Lv 10 or earlier, or go on to lvl cap.
Repeatable PostMan quests between towns for 100 caps and 50 xp plus 10 XP/caps per square of distance (straight line distance). Extra bad Karma and Reputation for killing or even attacking PostMen.