Today was an issue related to the new Masternodes in the Darkcoin protocol. It was tested for a month on testnet and nothing of the sort happened. Real conditions were different and caused forks. The developer issued a quick fix and everything is back on track for the moment. You can't always get it right the first time that's for sure.
Darkcoin has actually implemented a lot of new code. They have an advanced form of decentralized coinjoin called darksend mixed with a system of masternodes which share the block reward as a sort of proof of service. The masternodes require 1000 DRK ($6600+ as of right now) to limit network chatter and make it increasingly expensive for people to take control of a lot of masternodes. Additionally coins in masternodes are removed from circulation, allowing a sort of positive feedback loop as far as price goes.
Darkcoin V2 is also adding ring signatures mixed in with the masaternode system so I'll see how that works when it gets released.
This seems like a great base. I'd love if there was a step-by-step guide to creating a cryptocurrency though. I'm trying to learn about it (without intending to release another onto the crap filled market) and there's not many guides. It seems like a well kept secret for now. Simply cloning one is giving me enough trouble, I can't generate the merkel root and move on from there. No documentation.