A glider gun is still incomprehensibly complex for non-programmers, I fear.
To the extent that resource collection involves stuff happening in Life you will struggle to balance it, and to the extent that it doesn't it's not really life-based at all.
MMOs need two things: mechanics that make them fun as a game, and themeing that will attract players. As far as I can see including a life aspect doesn't help with either.
To the extent that resource collection involves stuff happening in Life you will struggle to balance it, and to the extent that it doesn't it's not really life-based at all.