UNIQUE NPCS
I absolutely love having a NPC with lore and background. It adds more flavor to the game. We need to create NPCs that people will remember and think are cool. Sorta like Bernart, he's badass.
HOUSES/LIVING QUARTERS
But we also need houses and living quarters too that makes it realistic and can add lore to the game
in each town there could be a living quarters area, sorta like a military bases? or they can be spread out and applying to a unique story. UNIQUE NPCs.
LEVELING UP
Leveling up serves no purpose, when really, it should. There should be useful perks that go along with leveling up. Special access to better equipment, opportunities to upgrade weapons, upgrading bots (med bots, mining bots, etc). Just an overall chance to improve your player and items.
WEAPONRY
Of course there will be holiday related weapons that aren't futuristic whatsoever etc. But I think we should be releasing weaponry that has a special ability and is different. Examples being the Flamethrower etc, but actually done correctly. Also through leveling up, getting certain minerals (more than the current ones), and finishing quests for a required item piece, you should be able to upgrade a weapon to become better than its previous stage. This can allow different weapons being used and create goals for players to achieve.
EQUIPMENT
Before you say "Oh no, that makes PKing unfair, isnt cool for new players!!" isnt that the point? You can improve your player along the way by becoming stronger and getting new items. It gives players a reason to play and makes them entertained. Of course better equipment is obtainable by leveling up, and special equipment can only be used by certain classes etc. This is in a way ties Zone into an RPG type server, without being too similar to others.