I see two main issues which do fonline game really hard for new players.
1) step by step principle
At the beginning, new players start to interract with strong (or high count)mobs and high lvl players that already have 300% steal, sneak, guns. And PK's just killing bluesuits for fun. Not all players want waste much time on farming or crafting to being looted by high lvl's and killed. The probability of being killed at encounters is very high. New players need to start collect loot again and again, thats annoying thing. And start cities like Hub need more opportunities 4 newbies, or maybe it is need to be a safe place like barter grounds with quest npc's at beginning. High lvl's and low lvl's must be interract at minimum at the beginning.
2) In game communication
There is no opportunities to interact newbies with each other, as said, there is too much high lvl PK's and trolls who disturbing communications in safe cities. Also language barriers, that can be solved by party search systems and global chats.
All communications are on forum, irc but not in game.
Coz I'm not saying that game must be easer for all. But it has to be more easer for newbies and steb by step harder than.
As 4 me, these things make game more attractive for newbies, but maybe less for old players