I think this would add lots of life within the cities that will pop up around the land. So you don't have to run out in to the wild hunting for resources (so soldiers protecting the cities lives in them). Of course some one will have to do that so the store have something to sell but they will buy that from the hunters, scavengers and farmers.
This could also mean that trading guilds can have large scale operations going on with guild owned mines, farms and caravans.
This is also where the skill system will take effect. If you decide that you want to be a hunter your skills in that category will go upp and it will be easier for you to make money in that way. that would also work with someone owning a blacksmith in a town or city. If he gett better at making tools he will make more profit and can expand his business with maybe an apprentice or buying in more rare ores from the mines outside the city.
This will come full circle with hunters, farmers, miner going in to the city to sell their wares and buy needed tools to make their jobs easier and more profitable. Like a market held at certain time every week. depending on how long it takes to gather materials and make the wares.
This should help make a more living game with more realistic encounter with other people.
I think the devs should make it take longer to gain levels of your skills and make it take longer to mine, farm, build. So you have to specialise your self. that was what happened in reality when the population grew.
I am not saying it should be impossible to sustain your self out in the wild but as in real life the more logical way is to be part in a community.
Sorry for the long post.
Best of luck in game.
Lukas
Sorry for bad english I am from Sweden
)