(Just another personal wishlist)
Although I was lucky enough to have landed a house when the Empyreum opened up, I still firmly believe that an increase in housing availability is definitely needed. While I understand there will be limits, if Island Sanctuary can be instanced - why can't housing be as well?
- Create a single-instance Residential Square for each city-state. These would either have their own Aetheryte Plaza (similar to Wolves' Den Pier) or they would be accessed from the City Aetheryte Plaza (similar to Gangos via the Doman Enclave). Each Residential Square would be a paired down version of the existing residential districts, and mainly focus around the vendors and various sights of the existing districts (such as the Snowsteep Springs of the Empyreum), surrounded by a few non-purchasable houses - perhaps these could be "purchased" by the various NPC adventurers we've encountered and have them milling around.
From the Residential Square players would then be able to access three different types of Residential Districts:
1. Private Estates: (Much smaller in size compared to current residential districts.) These would be individually, instanced areas, similar to Island Sanctuary. Individual players would be the sole resident of the instance (with the option to grant friends tenancy). All players would start with a small-size Cottage - with later options to upgrade to medium House and then larger Mansion. The surrounding areas would be either be NPC houses, perhaps cameos from previously encountered NPCs or the natural terrain. Access would be limited to friends and FC members - or each estate could be given an address code that would allow non-friends access.
2. Free Company District/Estate: (Similar in size to current residential districts.) These would be instanced districts (similar to the current ward system) accessible via the Residential Square. A Free Company Estate (house) would be located centrally, and surrounding the FC Estate would be various plots which FC members would have the option to 'lease'. (Those with an existing Private Estate would be require to completely re-locate to the FC District, rather than have a second house.) Again, the Free Companies would start with a cottage and upgrade as they go, with each time more of the surrounding plots open up for lease. Additionally, Free Companies that meet certain requirements would be given options to open additional Districts and (smaller) Estates in other cities.
3. Public (Showcase) District: (Similar in size to the current residential districts). These would be one or two instanced districts accessible via the Residential Square, for those house-owners who want to show off their Estates. Using a system similar to the current lottery system, players can apply (at no cost) to temporarily re-locate their Private Estate to a random lot in these Districts. Once their time is up, their Estate is then re-located back to its previous location. [No permanent residents]
In regards to Apartment Buildings, the entrance would either be located in the central Residential Square - alternatively, to give a more urban feel, the entrances could be moved to locations within the cities themselves.
[To be Continued...]