There is a particular part that stood out and it was this part.
"The Internet was not so extensive or pervasive back then, so if you wanted to learn more about the game, you had to spend time talking to other players.
MMOs today are a blur of quest hopping. Combat is fast, leveling is fast, healing is near instant and so is mana regen. There is simply no time to talk to anyone"
This makes a lot of sense to me, have learned more by engaging with players who are willing to help ingame than anywhere else.
Reading things or watching tutorials helped, but the most helpful was when another player would show or explain and that was really the best in my experience.
I like the idea of helpers with a special area in the sky city e.g. the social/info and help central area.
When you are a helper and a notice or message appears blinking on your screen any helpers who are available could pop down to visit to help and greet the player(s).
Social events could be encouraged (optional) even though it doesn't fit with the theme of war and such but it is a way to unwind when you would rather catch up with others or meet new folks who you might of never met.
E.g.
The Consumer event
The sky city is in complete darkness and the faint hint of the siren slowly dies!!!!!!
A small light source appears in the room momentarily and vanishes muttering about their hunger.
Me hunger me feed on energy riuthsrthshto;thot O.O (think cookie monster but an energy source)
It then reappears to glow attracted to the sudden movements anyone makes in the sky city!
The idea is to lure the light source thing to light up areas without getting dazed and becoming part of the light side. (its like a game of team tag)
If the light source gets to you, you are blinded by the light and joined in the light side meaning when you move you light up but when you dont move you are in darkness.
Those who become light can move slightly quicker but are seen.
Abilities and things can not be used for anyone.
Now luring the light source in the containment room is where you can get someone to make as much noise and jump then it will go there.
You may have to sacrifice someone which gives the achievement For the team!
You could get light achievement starstruck
There is a timer and if the game ends with none winning you still win things but not as much as if you had won.
This is just one of many different events that could take place in the social area these are always announced in advanced for different time zones on some board for all to see where you can find out.
I would hope events and gatherings such as this would create a good atmosphere and fun for all.
Trading i think should be done somewhere you can see in person this way the exchanges the meetings the events are done in the sky city this becomes the 1st place to go to for help for info and to socialize too.
Trades can be put on board request so on your mini computer you can see things people want or are willing to sell.
Next to the names are optional time frame so if a seller wants to make a fast sell they would have a small timer in red. (those with a red timer want to trade or sell asap)
Yellows and green timers are less worried about that and just want to sell to get a good deal.
If you have no time to do that and like to put your item into a special area of the store but you have to give small % of your earning to the store e.g 10% taken by the store
The store will place your item there so that bids can be made by those interested in the object/items.
You can decide when to accept but the store could also automatically approve the best sale and message you once complete.
ok i think i am going off topic but had to spew my thoughts again