Along with the normal rising world game modes and special server type could be added. The server creator could determine what era the server would be like stone age, 1700s, 1800s, ww1, ww2, cold war, modern era or future. Depending on what era determines what weapons are available. In this mode the would already have city's, villages and civilizations. The player would have the option to start their own civilization or pick a side of one of the npc civs. You can also choose to either fight the war, work in the city's, gather resources or work your way up to leader of the civ and direct the war.
Another possible mode would place you in a small town filled with npcs and you can either build up the city or do your own thing. The world would also have many city throughout the world with no roads, that would give and exploration incentive.