Like it or not ganking is a legitimate playstyle. Think reavers from Firefly. Or, in-universe, they are known as raiders. Those who kill with no defined purpose other than to cause death.
My suggestion is fairly straightforward. Give gankers a reward system that encourages them to kill, but to do so in a way that is constructive to gameplay rather than destructive. Positive reinforcement.
For CMDRs who go down the dark path of murder there should be exclusive cosmetic items. Trophies of the kill. Think 'raider ship kit' on steroids. The more lives you end the more your particular cosmetic item evolves until you eventually reach the level of Elite within the underworld. BUT! And this is the key; these cosmetic items reset if you are killed. So the more players you bring to a bloody end without dying, the more prestige and war trophies you can display. This could also encourage duels among rival raiders/gankers to prove who is top dog. The winner's cosmetic item evolves while the loser is knocked down.
While it won't eliminate players who are content to simply cause pain by exploiting game mechanics, it could provide a structured outlet for those that actually want to embody the spirit of the reavers.
Just a thought.
My suggestion is fairly straightforward. Give gankers a reward system that encourages them to kill, but to do so in a way that is constructive to gameplay rather than destructive. Positive reinforcement.
For CMDRs who go down the dark path of murder there should be exclusive cosmetic items. Trophies of the kill. Think 'raider ship kit' on steroids. The more lives you end the more your particular cosmetic item evolves until you eventually reach the level of Elite within the underworld. BUT! And this is the key; these cosmetic items reset if you are killed. So the more players you bring to a bloody end without dying, the more prestige and war trophies you can display. This could also encourage duels among rival raiders/gankers to prove who is top dog. The winner's cosmetic item evolves while the loser is knocked down.
While it won't eliminate players who are content to simply cause pain by exploiting game mechanics, it could provide a structured outlet for those that actually want to embody the spirit of the reavers.
Just a thought.