An interesting discussion.
I would definitely remove the farming and weather system. Indeed, it is part of what makes Bushtarion unique, but as far as I'm aware this discussion is about making a completely new game and what we would like to include. For many of the Bushtarion players, sentiments may have them favour a decision to keep it, but as was previously mentioned it probably costs the game many players. Also, anyone who hasn't played Bushtarion before wouldn't miss it, and they sure wouldn't miss the many frustrating instances of planting into bad weather.
But I would keep the land based income, and the ability to steal land (or resources, or similar). Perhaps you could still gain seeds but planting and selling was instantaneous and independent of the weather of number of gardeners.
The battle system I would keep exactly as it is. It keeps the game interesting and allows many play styles.
I would probably change the rate of recovery after being zeroed (or remove the ability to be zeroed). A pretty frustrating aspect of the game is working hard to get somewhere, and then getting hit back to square one while you sleep. Again, the sentiments of many Bushtarion players would prefer to be able to kill an opponent swiftly. Ideally, a change in this regard would make everyone happy, but we don't live in an ideal world, and in the end this is a business and any decision is a compromise with the intention of maximising the players of the game and profit.
I saw a few suggestions to remove solo. For a highly elitist game this may be appropriate to even the playing field, or where it is not possible for solo to exist, but it would cost the game many players. The casual gamer doesn't want the responsibility of being allied. The fact is, bush actually works quite well with solo, and removing it is hardly necessary.
Polo suggested unlimited alliances or no alliances and the ability to defend anyone. I think they both have potential, but real application might not be so easy. That being said, it would be definitely interesting to see how they would work. Although the second idea would probably limit the amount of social interaction you get, usually a great part of for the fun alliances.
Of course these are just some of my opinions, and not necessarily accurate.
It works there because it is a VASTLY different game. You can login once a day and do really well, You don't lose ALL your troops to a single attack..
