Guild Wars 2

-Only effects pve zones
-No mini map, only a compass
-No POI, vista, waypoint or any of the other markers on the world map. This includes your own characters marker.
-No access to waypoint travel

This would all be completely optional as you would select whether you wanted to play in regular or hardcore mode when you create your character. You could add mounts for all players and maybe a new personal story (one which ties in a reason why you cant use waypoints maybe, so people don’t feel too cheated :P) for those who take on hardcore mode. Players would also receive special titles/aesthetic gear for accomplishing certain goals (finding the vistas, waypoints, ect) since it is much more challenging and unpredictable without all of the map functions.

This can already be replicated, to an extent:

• World Map has a toggle to switch all icons off (aside from Waypoints).
• Don’t use Waypoints.

I’d prefer more of a hardcore mode toggle for combat, personally:

• Constant Health Degen per second while in combat.
• Reduced Endurance Regen while in combat.
• Reduced Damage Dealt.
• Increased Damage Taken.
• Condition Duration increased.
• Damage taken from Conditions increased.

In return:

• 25% chance of getting Rare gear
• 25% chance of getting Rare crafting mats
• 5% chance of getting Exotic weapons.
• Increased Karma gain
• Increased Gold gain