no NPC :ahahha u get the true picture i feel World :there is no othere option then huge open world for that type of game(with no quest NPC or any help from game,to be intresting and suitable for mass of players). Permadeath is tough yeah but will arrange players relationships better then any othere thing.i Dont want to die.Kungen kripparian or god knows who have their hand made city with high walls and offer protection(probably not free)and some rules and their fight for real money and domination as everyone else.I value my life ,after i have 3 characters i can do some risk and go for some lover drake raid and even die as cannon meat but i will be noticed i hope and next time i will not be cannon meat,can learn something and advance in society i joined or even globaly society can be recognized if lucky. Monsters and Races :are clicheee because people like to play fantasy mmorpg more then otherse(numbers showing that and since i dont have idea for some new clishee ,or even if i have would be smarter to use this one. Loot:yes naked in begining u get right picture,and no u are wrong about few ruining economy.world is just too big and clash will happen even if some side is overpowered at some points,sooner or later things can change very quickly Craft:yes u get picture,just not everyone will want to give their recipes to wiki, some them are competing for real money,more likely is that u have to pay crafter with some ingame value or if u influentional reputation, with time there will be many crafters and many options and afcourse much frustration,dont know about FFXI,but my idea is exactly that (noone even team developer shouldnt know things that can make players more powerfull,and i presented way to do it. Trading:afcourse u can be able to trade personaly between players inventories when they are near eachothere(or even send it by post service if someone is that smart and trustable to start buisness).Noone can forbbid players to post in forums what they want to sell or buy,their ingame nick and location.