First of all, I definitely see custom PvP objectives not necessary. On a fresh 1x rate there will be a lot of PvP interaction during lvling in contested zones, especially some with PvP objectives, as long as they work, zones like plaguelands and most of outland zones will be full of PvP action, everybody will want to claim bonuses there so I do not see issue with PvP for first few months. After that and for lvl 80 action, there is no bigger PvP objective than Wintergrasp, as long as that will work there will be plenty of PvP action even months or year after realm release. To make this more intensive, slow release of season content (here I suggest classic 3 month season as a long term solution) will have positive impact on PvP too.
In overall, as long as retail PvP content will work, there's no need for custom content for long time.
Agreed. No custom PVP necessary.
Next closely tied to the paragraph above, RDF and RBG, these are very useful but should be released as end game content, there is no need for them before lvl 80 and possible ICC release. Not only it will make early lvling regular experience, also it will allow players for more interaction with other, forming guilds and so on. In fact despite it is being a part of retail experience one and of really good things, it release should be tied with realm final stage, their release should be at least 3 or 6 months after launch and after that they should be available to all lvls. Realm first achievements would be the THING.
Disagree. I don't quite see where not implementing rdf's before 80 should jeopardise "regular leveling experience" as it is part of not only levelling, but also knowing how to play in team, find out how healing/tank/dps skills work.
Also I read a lot about gold economy and some custom restrictions, as long as only gold sources will be in game (no gold for coins), with 1x rate it will take long time to really make economy grow, farming up first gold for mounts is really a pain, not to mention flying mounts or cold weather flying, it is nothing easy to achieve early on and especially because it is supposed to be completely new realm where ppl start from nothing, gold dump will be needed only months after realm release, here some custom content would help. Actually I would recommend allowing to exchange gold for donor currency (coins) on this real for quite high rates, maybe about 2000 or 5000 gold per coin, if anyone ever had too much gold it would be well spend for him (and if that would mean you could get donor items for 40 - 100 thousands gold, It would be quite legit for 1x rate realm).
Agree with the fact that farming gold at 1x will take a very long time (I'd say >1 year) before one considers his gold to be abundant. But the possibility to buy coins with ingame gold and use that for donor items ... not sure about this. I'd leave donor items as far as possible. Besides, when you would place rates that high, eg 5000 gold for 1 coin, very very very few people would consider buying these coins with ingame gold (would you?). This leaves the issue unresolved. On another note, I have played 3 years on another server, one where it even was possible buying ingame gold with real money. There have never been any inflation issues whatsoever. So I'm not very convinced extra golddrain channels are needed. But I could be wrong ofcourse.
Regarding other options, realm transfer must never be available unless you make exactly same realm duo to population issues. Faction change should be available for coins and so race change, name change, I think, will be up to community to decide in time, for myself, I don't need it.
I'd say no possiblity for a name/race change.
Edit: I couldn't quite figure out how to quote only parts of Darfinko's post.