NC 3 could be the most exciting game since [insert fave here], while there will be more goals to meet than this discussion has shown yet.
Theres one thing gone seriously wrong in the development of NC 1 and 2: The game has been tailored to meet the needs of the most vocal group. But we need to remember there are more motivations for playing an MMO than plain deathmatch fights in a very big area.
Motivations for playing an MMO have been described quite nicely by Prof. Richard Bartle, who told us there are four main groups of players, or four main drives: Killing, achieving, exploring, socialising. NC started with a good balance, but concentrated on the first activity with NC 2. And lost most achievers, explorers, socialisers in this process.
To regain an ingame population of thousands (as opposed to mere dozens), NC 3 has to meet the needs of all four gaming demographic groups.
Killers want to pvp right from the start.
Achievers want items and level-ups.
Explorers want an ever expanding world.
Socialisers want safe areas and RP items.
Bring it all together to set up a lively virtual world. Or fail by concentrating on one. Examples are numerous.
So its not just consented vs unsconsented PVP, extent of the skill tree, weapons balance, crafting and resources. My suggestions would be setting up an expanding map (as opposed to the fixed one of NC) with fixed zones dedicated to either war and peace (thus eliminating SL and LE), unlimited supply of items (think "borderlands-cron") and a multibranched skill tree with a lesser influence on pvp. I trust KK to work out the details.
