You might see some more NPCs around the wilderness... :) In terms of new NPCs: it takes a lot of effort to model, texture, rig, and animate a creature, and our team is very small and spread thin over many tasks of various priorities. We do the best we can.
I don't think people are so crowded everywhere that there are lines forming at NPCs. Also, another character shouldn't be able to attack an NPC you have already engaged in combat, unless you moved away and the combat ceased.