How to add more regions without actually expanding the existing world

Conceptually, it's a solid idea. It would need to operate just like the Tunnels of the Damned do today, though. What I mean by that is, loot cannot be taken to/from region to region through the tunnel.

These would need to operate as their own server. They would have to have their own capacity limits and be designed in such a way that they wouldn't create any PvE metas.

This basically becomes a server with another map. Because if instance regions are made for each crew, there will be no way to bring the loot to the current map, and if it were possible, people would hide in their instantiated worlds and become a PvE server, which as we already know, is out of the question.
Then make these regions as locations for tall tales. People will use it until they finish the tall tales and then abandon them. To function, these regions would have to be loot production sites and locations that would accommodate crews as well as on the current map, that is, they would become a server with a different map, and thus the new regions would be created, further dividing players between semi-inhabited servers.

I think that to have new regions they must be on the current map, but for that the servers have to be populated sufficiently for interaction, and for that we are in the face of the problem of servers processing the crews of players

@lordvader1o1 said in How to add more regions without actually expanding the existing world:

I would love to hear Rare’s input on this idea, could it be possible? Does making another shared world instance like this cause equal amount of pressure on the servers as it would if you extended the current map in just 1 world?

First, server performance issues must be resolved. Solved this, the capacity of the servers can be increased, and then yes, the map can be enlarged. A larger map but with the current amount of crews will make the sea become more empty and with fewer interactions, which is not the purpose of the game.
And yes, the new regions, should provide regular options to produce loot such as current events, forts and fleets for example. And by no means the only reasons to visit such regions should be tied to tall tales and easy-to-achieve achievements, as this is easily achieved and the regions will die at the same speed. The achievements of such sites should be somewhat pleasurable but also challenging, and the rewards should be attractive, such as quality cosmetics and not just titles.
And lastly, as I gave my opinion on a topic of why Devil's roar be dead, should be regions of easy access, if possible, places where your ship can spawn, and with smooth borders with the other regions that already exist in the game, without having to sail for 5 minutes, against the wind, across a border with nothing, beyond rocks.

It will make the servers (at least feel) more empty.

A crew starts, empties out the Outpost, activates the portal to go to "ice-biome" or "desert-biome" and after going through the portal they leave the server.

In most instances, the 10 or so minutes it takes that crew they have no interaction with other crews, but the other 4-5 crews on the server (if they stay in the standard Seas) have basically a server with one crew less until a crew starts with the intention to stay.
What will be worse if there are multiple crews spawning with the intention of going to another biome or the same spot on the server multiple times filled with such.

Now, obviously, the same can be said for the (instantiated) Tall Tales, but those were used primarily by pirates at roughly the same time when they were introduced or currently not that frequent anymore.

@lordvader1o1 The only way to avoid creating any PvE metas in this new world would be to ensure there is maximum occupancy at all times. Enough so that there is the same chance of interaction that exists in the current world (when there are 6 ships per server).

The only way to guarantee that the new world would have maximum occupancy at all times, as @PersonalC0ffee points out, would be to make it another spawn point for fresh crews. You click set sail and you are dumped either in the old world or the new world, whichever is most in need of a crew. You are free to travel between them after you spawn in, but you don't get to pick which world you start in.

Again, conceptually, I think it's a great idea. However, I think creating a true PvPvE area that is separate from the current world would require way more effort than is realistic from a small team like Rare. It's basically asking them to create SoT all over again and run parallel with the current SoT. Sure, the foundation is there for what the world needs to be, but they'd still have to create everything...and if its intent is to have different events, voyages, etc. from the current world, that's even more work.

I could see them doing something like this for a single island, specific event, or something like that.

Maybe they put a unique world event or something over at Old Sailor Isle (Maiden Voyage island) and that would be it's only purpose...but I don't think creating a whole new world and artificially splitting the player base is realistic.

@lordvader1o1 said in How to add more regions without actually expanding the existing world:

So I do agree that the rate of servers becoming empty would increase. However if someone leaves, the server should quickly find a new player ship to add to the server Or server merge.

Second, treat the new regions like the current world. They should also have 16 players and everything the current world has but the difference is the map itself is different, different islands, etc etc.

If Rare do it right, servers should remain full and maintained whether you are in the main world or a new region.

I don't think that way is going to work. The new regions must be on the same map as we have today for interaction. And for this to happen the servers must be improved, updated or exchanged, as I Said earlier

This method in theory could open a vast world of new possibilities, in particular for the lore. I mean, it could also be used to travel in the past to see what happened when the ancients were still active, with some exclusive voyages for pirate legends to investigate and see what truly happened when the shroud was formed.