I'll kick this off...
Multiplayer:
LAN of course, but Internet hosting that is not going to charge, but if that is not an option then at least put in direct IP hosting others can join please.
For many this is preferable anyway, with just a little in-game chat area for private games.
And of the ability to help (or hurt) another on-line player with real vehicle to vehicle contact.
Playing Modes:
I understand this game is based on getting from here to there mostly by yourself in single or multiplayer, but some head to head checkpoint racing through multiple checkpoints where you can trade some paint with others is extremely fun!
Other modes to consider are Missions and Treasure Hunts.
Some people prefer to just play solo and this gives them more game options.
User Made Add-Ons:
This to me is what separates a game being bought and played for many years, from those that get played to the end and then traded away.
It is also what I base making a 'fan site' on.
Take Flatout for example, a very fun game to play solo or multiplayer but it just got boring after awhile because add-ons were way too hard, but moding the game to cheat way to easy.
It should be the other way around.
The ability for a user to make and share his own totally custom Tracks and Vehicles from scratch draws nearly as many people as those that just want to play the game and not get bored.
In the EVO series by TRI they made a track editor which wasn't just some 'snap pieces together', but a full blown PC based 3D track maker.
And for Vehicles it was designed to allow free full PC based 3D editors like Z-Modeler to make completely custom Vehicles from scratch.
And of course the game needs to be able to allow them to added or removed from the game with ease as well as detect in multiplayer the difference between stock and custom and stock, and if possible exchange between players anything another player doesn't have.
1C-Avalon, the best way to see what I mean is just visit my
4x4 Evo2 Web Site and download the free version of game and try it.
There are 2,482 Vehicle and 970 Track Map unique uploads all made by players.
Play with the game a bit.
We still love it, it's graphics and psychics are just way outdated.
You are just another in a long list of developers that had/have a game in development we are hoping we can migrate to.
'If you build it, they will come.' (from Field of Dreams)
If you want my help just ask.
If you want to intrigue my community in the forums you can start here
http://vales.com/evo2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22371
Just making some contact and showing you are developer that listens make a huge difference.
It is diverse crowd I think you could benefit from if you want to take the TRI developer way of making what people want.
Now I am off to send them over here ;-}