This suggestion is probably not gonna happen. It wouldn't bring anything good ingame, assumption that if hinkley is closed players will move to north towns to do "real" PvP is just wrong.
The assumption that it will consolidate players upon common grounds in the game is undeniably true, which would be a positive effect concerning how few players we have left here. Players would, for example, get used to hanging around Reno instead of alt checking some artificial installation of the game that is in denial with it. The place is completely safe, player receives free equipment and doesn't risk anything, it doesn't cost him anything, he doesn't have to fully participate in any game activities, just that sandbox.
Your loss, if such a feature wouldn't have ever existed, we would never have this conversation and nobody could ever support it for what it is.
Yep it is too hard.
Sure.
But who exactly would join and where? Currently people who go to hinkley are in factions already. Usually I see the entire team of hawks or group of old bbs in hinkley. Don't you get it that people are in hinkley because the enemy has too many troops or the players are tired of the way gameplay flows in general? If there is no hope, there is no action. Sure, you can always fap previews for 2hours and hope enemy makes a mistake but that's not funny anymore.
Those are untrue statements which doesn't apply always to the situations you are presenting, there always is a chance for players consolidate in order to enjoy the game.
They are in that fake arena, not because they have less troops, but because simply that place exists and they don't have to risk anything, or play the game. They might as well go to some Reno with few players, but instead they are playing Hello Kitty Online.
Equality and fairness basically, that's what hinkley offers apart from being able to take drugs there. Could start with deleting gatling laser entirely. It's a textbook example of abused gear.
Alright, why the free equipment there? Fine, the place exists, but why players aren't bringing their own equipment to fight in it? Why should that sandbox be any different apart from the game?
Having some kind of entry fee wouldnt hurt.
Having the ability to actually come with your own equipment and then risk it, in fair conditions like some players here explains would be good a good enough fee, don't you think so?