gameplay loops: Farm & Food / Exploration & Adventure /Construction /Gameplay /Multiplayer are the most important Mechanics → Farming enables combat to be more effective using more advanced foods and other sources; Combat gives combaters and everyone else unique items; Exploration is necessary to find more unique places, to reach these distant lands one must transport themselves; Building enables community and transport;
There are two types of players, one can change into the other depending on wants and needs; This means one person does not stick to only one playstyle; However a person wanting an easier time will probably want an easier time most of the time; Also a person wanting a harder time will probably expect a harder time most of the time; They should be able to switch, switching will be at the cost of rewards; The more distant a player is from spawn, the more rewarding yet difficult it will be for them. This is to motivate exploration, building, transport and to make sure anyone can find their own difficulty. Since distance is a factor, players will be far away from each other. To negate this a certain form of trade will be necessary(outside of server-wide events and happenings); Trade is usually motivated by scarcity and utility, items being rare, useful or just looking nice will be a cornerstone of trade; This trade should connect all 4 game loops. Farming will buff combat, combat will bring back rare items for trade. Farming thus supports exploration and combat, and combat supports farming; Building is a natural part of all three, as is in a way exploration. Rare animals, useful for farmers will spawn farther away, how to safely transport said animals etc. is up to the player.
Also check the Most important changes the Balancing and if interested, the entire list of Mods