If you were given complete control over how to make an MMO, from mechanics, to artwork, to gameplay, servers, platforms, subscription model and game delivery; how would you work it? For the sake of keeping it interesting (for me) I would specifically like to know in depth the reasons behind your mechanics and gameplay choices.

Feel free to draw inspiration from games you have experience with, but don't be afraid to throw your wildest ideas out there!

Subscription model either F2P or GW2 model (box sales, no sub fee). I like feeling like I can jump back in and play any time.

Gaemplay wise I would like to see a strong action game, rather than hotkey based combat.

I quite like the idea of being able to skill anything rather than being locked in by class choice. The Eve time based system was also pretty cool, as I don't have a huge amount of game time, but was certainly not idea.

I would also like to move away from the typical DnD themes, as they are very warn out.

Have you checked out the passive skill system from Path of Exile?
I think that's a pretty good system for build diversity.

I actually play PoE a long time ago. The skill system was my main problem with it - levelling up felt rubbish because the vast majority of what you got from it was small stat boosts, which didn't make the character feel better. I think they've added a lot to it since, though.

Looking around the web there are a lot of people saying that they felt the boosts were too few and far between. But I found it to be quite the opposite. They must have changed a lot since it was in early beta.

For example: The first point I got gave 12% increased spell damage. That's quite a major boost!
Within 5 levels I'd got 20% more spell damage and 55% crit chance boost.

The old system sounded like it was very GW2/Rift style, providing only 1 or 2% boost to stats.

Yeah, it does look like it's been buffed and cleaned up significantly, though I would still prefer getting more noticeable effects on level up - it's one of the reasons I loved Titan Quest - lots of cool things every time you level up.

I agree with you on that.

In PoE, skills are like long-term goals, and the more traditional progression is in gear and gems I suppose.

Any other ideas?