Adding seasons and weather

[Potjeh]

Alternatively, you could make the climate mild in coastal regions, and only have the winter take full effect deep inland. Then you go with that idea of having new players start on beaches, and problem solved. Naturally, when I say coast I mean sea coast, lakes should freeze in the winter.

[VowOfSilence]

As has been mentioned before, one problem with seasons would be coming up with things so that winter doesnt because 30 days of auto-death for newbies. Seems like it would be pretty boring for farmers, as well.

North-South Climate zones are without a doubt the best way to fix this.
Newbies spawn in the southern "easy difficulty"-zones, with mild winters, plenty of food to find, and so on.
Further north, the game will get increasingly difficult in general, but you'll also find better or special resources. The north is for "raiding" rather than settling down.

[arriel]

As has been mentioned before, one problem with seasons would be coming up with things so that winter doesnt because 30 days of auto-death for newbies. Seems like it would be pretty boring for farmers, as well.

North-South Climate zones are without a doubt the best way to fix this.
Newbies spawn in the southern "easy difficulty"-zones, with mild winters, plenty of food to find, and so on.
Further north, the game will get increasingly difficult in general, but you'll also find better or special resources. The north is for "raiding" rather than settling down.

In the end everyone is advanced enough to live on a barren rock with no problem, and majority of population is living in line near the farthest reach of the map.
I say, won`t work.

[Onionfighter]

I like the idea of the middle area being more mild and easy to live in while the poles are more extreme and difficult, but are where experienced players have to live to access some of the better resources. Essentially, casual players can stay near the equator, while the hardcore players venture north or south.