So to start off, I would really like zone to be based on PvP. So heavily it's basically what the game is for competition and battles. That would be one thing that would make zone 100x more unique and even though I'm not a zone pc player I can definitely tell PvP is what zone has been always aiming for.
I know this isn't overwatch or whatever but a major factor of PvP should be teamwork. Which is why classes come in, I know for a fact people out there like quick and fast motion gameplay but for me I'd have it all about tactics which means it can take as long as it takes to defeat the other team. Also, this is where classes come in. It all connects, sort of. Not gonna go in full detail but classes should not be a big factor but think of it as a "boost" there wouldn't be a big change in a battle if no one had classes but it would require a lot more teamwork and "doing your part" gameplay.
Here's the idea for the two main classes:
Commando- Does all the damage but you're gonna need skill if you actually wanna go "commando" you may think "if they're gonna do all the damage then they'll be op" no, because commandos will have small hp. So with my logic I would think a noob would try to rush with their class but they'll easily die. Which the downfall here the skill it takes and how low health the commando class has
Medic- Heals other members but since healing is its main objective then medics should be balanced by having weaker damage, which I think is smart, not everyone wants to run around following their team mates healing them but if that was the case for every one in a squad then for sure they'll lose a battle because no one is healing them, and this sort of forces other people to choose the medic class and get better at it.
And here is my very unique and (maybe bad) idea that I'll get criticized on
So, every base wouldn't be like "get the tower" and you win, every server has that. But my idea is that each base is sort of like a different game mode, iZone actually had that concept before the planet bases were removed. Iricia and Spring had a "capture multiple points" gameplay and conquest and all the skybases had the destroy the tower gameplay. I'm thinking that should be extended, to where each base is a different game mode and will require different tactics and skills for each. Some game modes can be ctf, ircia capture the point style, and squad field battles.
This also "forces" people to get more skilled at different types of gameplay
I'm just suggesting all of this because zone can be so much more unique and because there's a lot of potential diversity it'll work out well. -sigh- will never happen though
Tl;dr
This isn't some essay but...
In conclusion, zone should be so much more pvp based (get it) whereas classic is novelty and social, era is PvP and a mix of classic but also very social media like, and ol west is just a weak era.
Some little notes for the tl;dr people
•Zone should be heavily PvP influenced
•Zone should be a full out PvP game
•Teamwork is the key factor