Introduction:
Started off in my Sidewinder, Open Play, did a bit of trading, got myself a Hauler, did some more trading. Figured out that the trading system is severly bonkers when finding exports on Planet A were more expensive than the prices on Planet B where they were imported. Found myself an insystem animal meat trading route, neting me 500 credits per ton. Grinded it out untill I had enough for a Viper. Made sure I was all out off bubblegum and the game now really is on!
Got to a Nav Beacon and found myself mixed with some other commanders also looking for targets. Pity the wanted fool who jumps into this I thought. Sure enough, every time one poked it's nose in there it would be obliterated within seconds. I was happily pew-pewing away as well, but dealing such low amounts of damage made it quite impossible to get the kill shot. After an hour or so, without winning any bounty I made the mistake of shooting one of the other cmdrs who bobbed into my line of fire. Shortly after that the pirate we were chasing exploded, so I sent the feller a message: "Sorry about that".
You can guess what's coming next can't you? Me limping into an outpost, shot to hell by my newfound bounty hunting friends. Wanted status. Outpost is crawling with cmdrs all trying to get in. After 15 minutes, sod it, going into solo, docked, paid my fine and really lacked motivation to go into open play again.
I've been going solo bounty hunting for a week now. Money is slowly flowing in, upgrading the Viper as I go. Play is still challenging, I get creamed by the occasional Viper or Cobra. Once tried to take on an Anaconda Mission after reading here how this game is too easy and people are having Conda's for breakfast. My experience was rather different and laced with explicitives all starting with the letter F.
So, in short. In open play I was being frustrated by the kill shot mechanic and the wanted status after you accidently shoot someone. In solo I am having fun. But now I'm reading how this devilish gameplay of mine is cheating. I am having an easy route to millions while the non-wusses are grinding it out open play style. I have been playing from the 16th, and I have yet to experience what a million in the bank feels like.
Moral of the story. Not all who fly solo for bounty hunting and may pop back into open play when they go trading or exploring are trying to game the system. Some are just rubbish pilots like me, looking for a way to make a buck or two
And how is using this ingame mechanic more of a cheat than using 3rd party trading tools? I'm not using those because it breaks the immersion for me, and I don't begrudge those who do. Play the game whatever way you like, as long as you're having fun.
Fly safe or die trying!
Dr. Stardust.