In those gates, there is gameplay, it's just not so diverse as a level is.
Sounds like a street, for example. Alongside a street, few things happan, apart from other travellers and inns.
Personally, I would prefer houses as part of the world, not as levels. I'd like to use them for hiding, for example (as long as the inhabitants do let me hide there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> )
Stealing without being noticed by house inhabitants should not be possible. At least the inhabitants should notice that *something* is going on ("why are you rummaging in my chest ?")
