I've very recently started playing AO again after a long time away, so at this point I'm only moderately better than a new player myself. That being said, I was thrilled to hear about the recent 18.7 update and very pleased with most of the changes that it introduced. I've only had a chance to mess around with the NPE so far, and on the whole I find it to be much more comprehensive and useful than noob island. However, I have two simple suggestions to improve the NPE and make the game somewhat easier for new players.
First, Arete Landing has much higher level monsters than were present on noob island, and many more quests, which makes it significantly easier to level up. This is great for new players, but it also means that they will very quickly exceed the level 10 cap on Neu. Newbie OOC. Without that chat group, Arete Landing is rather lonely, and players will have nowhere to ask for advice. Furthermore, seasoned players who exceed the level 10 cap on Newbie OOC will not be able to guide newer players through Arete Landing, provide any advice, or answer any questions. There does not seem to be any downside in increasing the level cap on the chat group; in my humble opinion, the level caps on the Newbie OOCs should be raised to somewhere in the neighborhood of level 20 to carry players over until they reach a main city and to keep people from feeling as if they *have* to move past Arete Landing as soon as possible once passing level 10.
Secondly, while noob island had the Teleport Tower, Arete Landing has nowhere (that I've seen, at least) for low level players to playshift to try and enter the same GS as their friends. Asking how to change GS was one of the more common questions I saw in chat while I was playing through Arete Landing. If possible, I think it would be very convenient to add a small zone (even as minor in scope as the teleport tower was), or some other mechanic, so that lowbies have an opportunity to meet up with friends or teammates.
Thanks for the incredible update and the hard work! I hope you'll consider these suggestions for the NPE.