I haven't touched an MMORPG in a long time. I like a lot of the stuff in MMORPGs, but I reasoned that there was too much unfun I had to go through to get to the fun for them to be worth my time.One of my favorite activities in an MMORPG were the pvp scenarios, battlegrounds, ballista, or whatever they were called in each game. It's also something I've not yet seen outside of MMORPGs.
So, would you be interested in a standalone pvp arena game similar to the one present in most MMORPGs? Start up the game, pick your character, join a lobby, and a few minutes later you're right in the action. I think a few tweaks should be made to make the system more enjoyable, but as a standalone game I'd support the core concept.
I think some necessary tweaks might be:
1. Changing the levels and brackets. I think it's important to note that I believe levels should still exist in such a game even though I rail against MMORPGs typically wasting your time. I think levels that are short enough and significant enough provide a chance to learn your character and the abilities of your enemy. I also think it prevent people from growing tired of a game too quickly and gives them a little something to look forward to. That said, there is an obvious balance problem for the team if you allow too great of a spread in levels to participate in the same game. I think levels should be greatly reduced, to the point where a single level up means a significant addition to your character's ******** Brackets should also be smaller to increase fairness, but not so small that they prevent the formation of games.
2. Access to the same (quality) equipment. People need to compete on a level playing field for the game to be fun. Perhaps you start with a certain amount of gold at each level that can be freely exchanged for equipment and buying/selling equipment to an npc is the only way gold leaves/enters your possession such that you always have a constant worth of value at each level that is equal to that of every other player your level.
3. Anything that players can earned or type of reward should be either a) cosmetic b) a sidegrade option c) an extremely minor buff. I'm very much opposed to vertical progression that creates entry barriers for players. If you have to farm up in any way to actually compete, the point of the game has been lost. Progression should be largely horizontal, expanding your options without giving you more powerful ones.