I hope this doesn't turn into a PK thread, those derail quickly.
I'd be cool with not being able to encounter low level players or be encountered at low level, or having the ability to turn it on/off, or even a nub island somewhere out in the middle of the ocean on the part of the map we never see.
TLA2 does something similar, and it doesn't seem to affect the game negatively too much.
However it's important to remember that dungeons and other public locations still put all players at risk. NPC mobs are plenty dangerous to new players (not new alts of old players). It's still full loot.
Low level protection isn't going to break my game, I doubt it will break anyone else's.
Besides, if it helps grow the community I'm all for it. The new player retention in these games sucks, in part (not all) because of some of the players in the community.
You can still say "Go cry moar nub, wasteland is harsh", but that just proves the point.
Don't care if you agree with me, it's just a personal opinion born of years of being a PK.
I'm simply curious what the solution will be.