I'm extremely skeptical that forum PvP has anything to do with turning new players away from the game. Legitimately new players have zero reason to participate in the shit slinging, even if they are aware of it - as far as the forum goes. It drives me nuts as well, and I'm still here. Luckily it's easy to tune out, you simply don't click on the threads.
It's been said for years that new players being PK'd makes them rage quit, and while this might be true to some extent, I also doubt it has much to do with the low player base (if anything). Games like DayZ and Rust have far more players than FOnline could ever hope for, and they're even harsher than FOnline (in my opinion).
Every person I've shown this game to, all checked their cupboards for some fucks to give, and found none. I haven't found anyone willing to check that cupboard twice, either. If the graphics were better, if it was FPS, if it wasn't isometric, and didn't look like the 1990's threw up on their 1080p flatscreen monitor more people would probably take interest in the first place, much less stick around longer than a few days or hours.
For my closing argument, I'll also add that over the years I've used my "good guy" alts to try and help genuinely new players get the handle of the game. From mechanics, to crafting, to farming, how to get caps, a tent, weapons - you name it. Most of them I had add me on Skype so they could ask me any questions if I was online. Maybe they quit because I'm not Santa Claus and didn't give them a ton of free shit, instead showing them how to provide for themselves. It's more likely they just decided they didn't like the game, because they all quit within a day or two at most.
So I don't waste my time with them anymore, my personal experience has shown me that it is of no benefit to the game at all. Inciting rage threads on the forum, well that I've accomplished more than once. I'll stick with shooting motherfuckers in the eyes, thank you.