The Elite series was a single player game, however the moment FD introduced the concept that everyone shared the same galaxy and could be in an instance with other players it became a multiplayer game of some description. Once players can share an instance there is an expectation of being able to team up with friends. The trouble is the more you make it possible for players to team up, the more the game becomes balanced in favour of teamed players. This is a big problem with ED because of its legacy in single player, because many players either like single player or don't want the involuntary PvP that teaming usually brings with it. It's also a problem because of the high cost of ship loss and the huge variation possible in ships and their load outs.
FD have been quite clever in allowing solo play and self regulated group based PvE, but the multiplayer element has attracted those who would prefer it to be more of an MMO.
If I look at most MMO style games, player alliances are created and they focus on farming and destroying the weaker alliances or solo players (obvious gameplay). Being a member of a weaker alliance or a solo player normally massively restricts gameplay. I remember playing one MMO and going out one Sunday morning and coming back to find all the cities I had worked so hard over months to create had been utterly destroyed, needless to say I stopped playing it. I still play MMO's, but I tend now to look at the meta game and see if there is a gamestyle I can adopt which balances being the underdog and still having fun. I think its fair to say that once the mechanics of a game are mastered, the social/team aspect of an MMO provides massive added value and extended gameplay.
If you look at ED, a lot of the meta game is well understood, FD cannot develop quickly enough to keep it fresh and its crying out for those aspects that the social/team play of an MMO would bring to add value and maintain interest while we wait for new content.
Although I play solo, I believe the game needs the communication, teaming and territory ownership of an MMO, but its doing it without ruining it for those who dont want to play the MMO side, but want to stay in open. In truth we have already begun this process, Wings is a great mechanic for the team player, but for the single player its a nightmare because the only counter is to retreat to solo or group. In my view it should be countered by allowing players to have npc wings.
Currently when scanned a ship can be wanted/clean or lawless. I would like to see some extra statuses added. Allied if he is part of your faction or an allied faction; independent if not linked to any player faction. If an independent player is attacked or destroyed, a fine is levied automatically on the player who attacks or destroys him. This fine is due immediately. Compensation is paid to the player suffering loss covering full rebuy and cargo. If the attacking player has insufficient funds his ship is forfeit.
If players were properly compensated for loss I suspect quite a few solo players would come out of solo and play open, adding life to the galaxy.
