So if you could make a server with the following, it might actually last highest pop server right now is APOnline with about 30'ish people but; seems like every server is the same:
Experience
Most start out with massive exp, so get to 180/180/180 in a day the real task starts on the grind from 180-185/90 I mean if they give you fast exp why not make it easy to get to 185/90 as well. It would be easier just to make a server with low exp gain but a little faster the real ZeroOnline, like ZO is x1 why not have a x3 or x5 server instead of always high rates.
Zero Points
Most people also start with huge drops of zp some have had boxes drop 1380 others have had 4000 zp drop at once. I wish there was a server out there for zero that is much like Acme Online (Eudemon Online Server) they have mostly everything that normal Eudemon's Online with just small boost. Basically what I'm saying is have regular monsters drop 5-25 zp without overdrive skills active once active give it two times the effect (10-50 zp), there could also be special monsters in the game that drop anywhere 200-400 zp but it would only happen past level 130 where it's needed most.
Gear
Most servers out there have basic gear, some start you off with ultra gear, others make gain +12 gear pretty simple (if you include the +12 exploit) sure some have Lv. 190 gear but it's really just a copy of Lv. 1 gear graphics leave basic gear at the start, when people want something better they can do missions or use zp.
Content
Alot of people seem to focus on custom content, like x3 exp potions for 200-250 zp, or custom npc's that sell the best stuff in the game for crazy amounts of zp. I've seen some servers out there update there content totally messing up things in previous content, an not even bother fixing the issue.
I'd welcome a server like this:
Experience: x3-5
Drop: x1-3 (items would still hold value)
Zero Points: 5-25 (OD 10-50, Lv. 130+ 200-400
Gear: Starting Gear - Basic (can get better with work)
Content: Basic Content, Full English speaking NPC's (no gibberish), Fusion System, Few Custom NPC's (maybe an x3,x5,x10 exp potions), 100% Working Space Missions, Random Encounter Missions, 100% Working Gear Missions.
Donations: No custom super powered donations, keep it basic just zero points.
Most servers once they actually get going they modify there drops and exp from there original plan, so basically veteran players are super over powered and new players are to far under geared. Most leave because of imbalances, if you're going to change content or revamp servers then they should wipe so there's no problems.