I don't think the modes are brilliant at all. I think they are a cheap, low effort way to try and appease everybody. Ultimately what has been created is a Frankenstein's monstrosity where small segments of the game's community segregate themselves yet can still effect players in other modes, an anchor tethered to the game's neck that will never allow it to actually thrive as a multiplayer experience. God only knows how many potential players take a look at this quality of the ED experience and go choose something else to spend their money on instead. My own enjoyment for ED exists despite this mess, but I recognize it as a mess nonetheless.
It is quite disappointing that there is such controversy surrounding the modes system. Moreover, it is actually saddening that it provokes such hatred in some people.
Just for a moment I wish people would make a tiny bit of effort to understand different players.
For instance, the fact that Solo Mode exists and that it is used by players is a very good thing. *Largely*, the type of player found in Solo is a player who wants nothing to do with shared game space - *largely*, they want no other players visible in their leisure time. Their motivations are irrelevant. Just accept it as a fact.
Does anyone seriously believe that if Solo Mode was removed, that this type of player would migrate to Open Mode? The answer, of course, is No, they would not. *Largely*, Solo players would leave the game.
What about players who exclusively inhabit groups like Mobius? *Largely*, this type of player does not want direct PvP. What if PG Mode was removed? Do we seriously believe that these players would migrate into Open Mode? I mean do we *seriously* believe that they would? I don't. I say that *Largely*, they would leave the game. I'm a Mobius faithful. I would probably leave the game. I've been conducting a social experiment by flying exclusively in Open Mode for the past 3 weeks doing CGs. I will make a separate post on my list of findings, but mostly, I have not particularly enjoyed Open, whereas I really, really enjoy Mobius.
I really don't understand why there is such bile thrown at the type of player who enjoys Solo or PG Modes as a way of enjoying their leisure time. These players are *largely* not "missing" from Open, nor *largely*, would they use Open mode even if it were somehow to be shaped as the only Mode of the game.
So really. Truthfully. All hail the Modes of Elite: Dangerous.
Yours Aye
Mark H