This is still very interesting idea and at the same time it's not too hard to implement it:
1) add 1 more character slot exclusive for RPG-mode
2) RPG-mode character is the same 'no Ghost' (1 life)
3) restrict trade/party with NE and EL characters
That's it. Actually it's the same ruleset at current NE mode, the only difference is: you die -> you have to start over.
Why it is fun?
1) no hoarding stuff in houses and true-arts at characters
2) no need to spend hours for trying to find best equipment among your full storage houses full of items
You play with what you got -> you risk -> it's fun
3) no way to cheeze with enhancing equipment and using speed pots right from lvl 3..
4) healthy economy - no *afk* stealing, you have to collect gold and items to sell them and buy pots/scrolls. YOU PLAY IN A GAME AS IT WAS INTENDED TO BE DESIGNED IN OLD DAYS (roguelikish Moria-style). It doesn't mean that current design is bad. It's just different. And it fun to be able to play old way again
sometimes.
5) It would bring true-tomenetish gameplay at early-mid game and it would make late game very challenging (currently people who plays 1+ year has quite 'perfect' equipment for 1-30 lvls and just 'pass' it).
6) To be able to survive with limited resources people would combine their efforts and
play in party much more often then in other modes. Right now at NE I just don't need party at all at 1-48 lvls... At 48+ it make sense a bit, but not too much actually. It's cool to be able to play solo, but why not to add mode when party would really make sense?
7) people would buy houses only when they _really_ need them, it's great to have one small house, much more fun then having 30 (trust me, I know what I'm speaking of there
)
it wouldn't make people to abandon NE and EL modes, but just give more freedom -
sometimes you wanna START OVER. From zero. But not in IDDC: of course, IDDC is fun, but it's too 'special' and a bit antisocial, you stuck deep in the dungeon like rat without possibility to go back to daylight and visit favorite places - Bree, Gondolin, Minas Anor.. Favorite dungeons... Buy a house.. With RPG-mode all this would be possible
I would certanly continue playing NE and sometime IDDC even if there would be RPG-mode around. It won't make people abandon other modes, it would just give more diversity in gameplay sometimes... Start from scratch is very fun, I'm sure that even some vets would return back to TomeNET to play in such mode.