also needs scripted NPCS that fight each others for demonstration.

+1

I was thinking something along the same lines, I'll post my vision here.  My thoughts are influenced by other players, even this thread so in no way do I claim this is my "idea"

Essentially create a starter Island in the center of the map.  Physically it appears there is enough space with the current map.

A new character is automatically sent here, with 20k ep,  Ep is accumulated in the same way. 1 per minute.  Created character is done as normal.  Race is not selected.

For sake of this post lets call the starter area Ellis Island.

Ellis operates much in the same way the test server did ...

Every Item in game is available at reduced costs, up to t3.  No t4 as to give noobs incentive to get to alpha, same with Mk2 bots. Items up to t3 to show them the value of improved equipment and teach them how to play with fits and fitting.

Extension costs are reduced.

Every aspect of the game can be tried on Ellis, in a tutorial type module.  Build a terminal and a turret.  costs and time are drastically reduced ... and terminal only lasts until that player logs off.  Pvp in a set area, with whatever bot they can afford EP wise .... this should show new players quite quickly that maybe you can jump into a mech but since your skills suck it may be better to use an improved assault first.  I think this is a common noob mistake, jumping to mech first, and wandering around in a useless mech frustrates them easily.

Have Mining, harvesting, production, reverse engineering, every single game aspect available here to try, with tutorials and way more help and explanation ...

Once said noob has completed enough tutorials, shown enough competencey with what he wants, or simply is ready to go to alpha, or in some cases is a friend of an existing player and just wants to start playing, they reroll all their attibutes and are transported to the alpha of their race.  With the exception of whatever EP they have accumulated while on Ellis (remember this is at the standard 1 per minute) NOTHING they have on Ellis is transfered to Alpha.

Essenially when this noob player hits alpha, they should have a pretty good basic grasp of how the game works, and can start actually playing.   Because of this the alpha can actually be made a little more interesting ... no more dull orange spawns, no more endless level 1 or 2 spawns ..

Basic Idea here is to let Noobs try things, learn how to do thiings, understand things and the game itself, before they actually end up in the game.  I think the throw a noob to the wild appoach is flawed and just results in noobs quitting from lack of understanding.  I also think making the game easier so they stay is also flawed.  This starter concept solves both those issues.

Again ..not my idea, but a mash of everything Ive read ...

But the tutorials have to be way more helpful, and much more understandable than the current ones.
Also, not sure how this would work, but perhaps allow vets to somehow assist noobs on the starter island in guidance only.  Maybe thru a specific chat channel or something to answer and guide noobs ... and as an icentive for vets, give them 2 tokens for evey minute they are actively helping noobs or something  ,,, again not sure on this aspect but something like this would ensure an endless supply of veteran players available to help the noobs, since we hardly see GMs or Devs in game much, and most vets I know want to help out.

Also maybe have on the Starter island ... "kill a Dev" event where all the noobs can jump into the pvp area and fight a Dev ... and probably explode 99 out of 100 times, but have FUN!

Good post, good points ... my thoughts behind some of the things I suggested ...

Ellis Island would be a separate server from PO. It would solely be a training ground for new players to ease them into how the PO world functions. Rather than make new variants of what's in game, it would use wherever possible what's already coded.

Noobs should be able to see every item and its stats, up to T4+, but only fit to T3 ... Why? To give them carrots to come to the main game, to understand the value of the higher tier items. Usage up to T3 shows them a great improvement over T1 (T2 of course generally is same as T1 but better fitting and less weight). Let them know there's even better stuff (T4) but make them commit to the game in order to use it.

The reason nothing but EP follows the player to PO is so they can stay on Ellis as long as they want and need to, but it's not a substitute for the real game, it serves its purpose to give them a hands free trial of things.

Terraforming and building wouldn't be limited to just a few structures, but would automatically be wiped when player logs off ... This keeps the area uncluttered but still allows them to make a few castles and a base with a turret or reactor ... Again a taste of what is actually ingame.
The simple purpose of Ellis is to educate the player on what the game is ... No shock needed when they join the game and lose their stuff ... Make sure they are clear on the rules of Ellis and that it's a "Virtual Training Island" that all Nia bound sparks from Earth have to stop at to prepare for their use on PO.

By not keeping stuff it gives the player incentive to get into the real game as fast as possible. By making the tutorials and modules actually understandable to a noob it prepares them better for PO.

This should be the single thing that would improve player retention rates, and make the game flourish .... Without changing existing game mechanics that cripple one style like PVP and buff PVE, or vice versa.