I have some thoughts about adding better role-play inside of populated areas, Add dimension,and encourage sociability, realism, as well as ways to really get to know other players.
Not always haveing to run off on adventures.
Activities inside of the towns/populated areas that players could take part in.
1. Change the way ui works in town, make it so that everyone can dance, or sit.
Sometimes Maybe just to sit down.On the Ground, or at a table.
(The taverns are boring)
It gets Crowded Around the 1 Barkeep.
You have all these empty tables with no one sitting, add waitresses, so people do not have to crowd the bar to speak to the only barkeep.
They could buy food or sell items with the waitress, that spreads people out and makes it more realistic.
2.)Add a Huge crystal Ball, to advertise DDO Store/spec./events,that acts sort of like a television,
one behind the bar, one in another separate area. Maybe you could only hear them if you were close by.
3.)ADD a sort of “dart” Game,
only using different thrown weapons,daggers,knives,hatchets,ect... Make the user/interface for being in the game different, so that it takes some learnable skill, to get better at throwing.
These Skills as you get better could effect your throwing abilities i.e dex/diplomacy during Adventures.
You could advertise, AND hold tournaments, where big prizes of silver,gold,trophies that show up when some one examines you.
4.) ,Add a dance floor, and be able to enter a different user interface so players could dance, and get better at special moves and tricks,i.e. spinning on the head, etc...
Only in Dancing areas.
5.)Add A card Game, you could get in and gamble in, or just for fun.
When you join the game the interface would be different.
I would suggest a “simplified” version of an ancient Game played in the 16th century called “Tarock,”
It is Played With “TAROT” Cards.
A version of this game Is Still Played today In Italy,
In English it is Known as “Tarot”, Card game.
It is a mix of Spades, With the High Tarot being the high trumps,
And pinochle, in that before each hand you get scores for melds.
AnyWho, I think it would add to the dimension inside the taverns.
Having a throwing Game, As well as a card game.
And allow Gambling, with silver etc..
It would allow players to interact in a social setting.
6.)Add dimension outside in populated areas,You could have
Parades,
going down the streets every now and again.
7.)Add some festivals with fun activities sort of like a renaissance fair.
There could be Arrow shooting contests,Where when you enter the contest, the interface changes a bit, so you can manipulate the way you shoot.
Strength contests, ie, the Mallet ringing the bell,on the big pole, or carrying heavy object a certain distance.
Maybe Pulling something heavy in a race?
Both of these activities could allow you to win higher strength/dexterity scores, ect...
And I believe would be Great fun.
A different way for Players to socialize.
Maybe even A diving Competition, where when you enter the User interface changes to diving mode, where the keys allow you to maneuver spectacular tricks.
8.Get new players to get to know other players in Populated towns and Villages,from the beginning.
Like after doing the initial adventure part, send them first to Stormreach harbor, and have them find the parade event Masters, and have them Participate in the parades, or in the festivals, in some way, for pay, and social points.
I think the parades could be fun and they could be paid silver and gold, so as to be able buy some supplies/weapons to go on Adventures Afterwards.
Make it so you have to work with other players in order to advance,
and gain social favor.
That way you learn social skills and how to meet other players from the beginning.
Then have them go Back and do Korthos.
The parades could be in honor of real players on a particular world.
Veterans who earn the honor to ride in A parade as a Captain, a Maid,Or King and Queen of the Ball.
They can earn special things for their participation.
People could earn social points, and renown fame for their Character,
Such as being announced for a while on the crystal ball in the Taverns.
Like In real Mardi Gras parades they could throw beads trinkets, and doubloons.
In Our Parades the Maids and Captains Throw only Special color doubloons, Kings & Queens of the Parade Throw Purple,
Krewe Doubloons which are the most common, thrown by simple parade participants, are generally silver and not worth as much as MAID/CAPTAIN Doubloons, or the coveted KING/QUEENS doubloons
which are worth the most, you only have 1 king and one queen, in the parade.
Also have some NPC’s in the parade, as needed.
I have a bunch of ideas on how to make it so you could create your own float or hot air balloon, ect...
Or choose to build one from pre-set options.
Working with other players,
Every now and again players should have to go and be part of some social events in town, to continue gaining social points.
I think it would be fun and add reality to the Towns and Hamlets.
I Luv the idea of renaissance festival, I think Having A Special Jousting Kind of game would be cool, and you could sit in the stands and watch.
I loved the old Jousting games by Atari, I think,they had where you hopped and flew around on different levels of platforms,on the Backs of Ostriches.
Players could challenge one another in a Joust,or one could watch from the sidelines, Just saying these things would add more fun to the game.
It gets kinda boring just always fighting Monsters.
It would be so cool to add some social opportunities inside of towns and populated areas.