Great post, I'd really like to see stuff like this implemented. I remember playing Ryzom many years ago and in that game they had changing seasons, animals that attacked others. This kind of environment made the world so alive.

More ambient noises: trees creeking, louder thunder and other things

What if there was an area that was so foreboding it was pitch black at night to travel in and strange monsters lurked in the distance.

I'd love to have a sense of adventure going to new and strange places. Or even to pause for a few minutes in my travels and enjoy what is transpiring around me or looming ahead. Make the world feel alive!