Good RPGs that once dominated my free time often had "Hangout" spaces. I remember playing Ultima Online and just bumming around the city bank for hours, chatting with people as they came and went, mugging and being mugged, etc. It's a concept that has often been restricted to MMOs and persistent worlds, for logical reasons... but I think, with a little ingenuity, we could gift that community-rallying concept to this, our favorite server-based game.
Here's the idea: A dedicated server with no teams (think duel), where you cannot spawn with weapons, but are otherwise unrestricted and may do as you please (attacking people, etc.). The server hosts a single map: a massive, multi-story tavern/bar, complete with a small brawling pit, a stage, standing tables and private meeting rooms.
This would be CRPG's official semi-RP hangout. A place where people can goof off, brawling, griefing and flooding chat with drunken nonsense at their leisure... and yet, also a place where clans can hold meetings, being able to see one another's characters gathered as they speak in TS, lending atmosphere and a sense of realism to their plotting.
The possibilities/uses are endless. Important STRAT diplomacy sit-downs, boxing gambling nights... you name it. Screenshot forum threads would be fed for a decade.
What do you think?
