i think the maps and the idea are great.
i don't understand why people are so obsessed with crowded cities. in the game, people already avoid each other. you don't go for hunting with random people who you've just met in a town. when someone enters your encounter, either you ar the other player will instarun or instashoot. most of the player-to-player interaction occures as pk.
loners buy bases, although all they need is a workbench and a few lockers to keep their stuff tidy. if i go to a town to use the workbench there, i craft and run to exit grid like most of the players. i dont stop to chat people or role play (especialy when i see people roleplaying like calling you "jew, neegger" etc, for they think this is what roleplaying is). if i need to buy something, i simply use the radio to find someone willing to sell, and go to arrenged meeting town instead of standing on the entrance of a city and shout. most of the cities are deserted. even if a player goes into a town, he quickly does his bussiness and leaves. in guared towns, generally there are only shit shovelling newbies, trading alts, thieves and followers. in unguarded towns,there are generally only the members of the controlling gang, or almost no players at all.
cities crowded with people who know how to roleplay might be fun, but if this is to be achieved, it must be done by making both guarded and unguarded towns more attractive for players, not by making them have to go there.