I'm new to Elite series. Pre-ordered beta edition, played a bit before launch but tried to not get too into the game or burn out before launch.
I play with a keyboard and mouse (Roccat Tyon <3 ) I've only died twice; once because I was playing at work and had to AFK, the other because I took a look at my right UI menu and caught a Plasma Accelerator shot in the grill and ker-ploded instantly...which was totally my bad for being cocky.
I started off trading, I liked it but it got a bit boring, tried mining.. the act of gathering the ore made it horrible and I quit that.. so then I went on to try Bounty Hunting --
Ahh, this is it, I always wanted to bounty hunt in games, should have tried it sooner.
I got frustrated but kept coming back for more as I learned how to gear out for and to kill an Anaconda for bounty missions. Twice I lost cabin pressure and barely got out with my life. It was great fun and excitement, despite the frustration... and the first time I succeeded I nearly yelled
"SPLOOSH!"
But, now.. I've amassed 2.8 million credits, and tricked out a Cobra pretty well with nearly all of that money, good amount of A grade parts, at least with the best parts I've been able to find if nothing else.
But, now... I am just planning on hoarding money, upgrading a bit more, and either going to raid Empire space and raise hell, or keep saving for an Asp then do that -- there is not much challenge to be had other than hopefully by players, and saving until a Python and/or Anaconda is good and all, but boring if I can't get any excitement along the way.
I am near the Alliance homeworld, I've only seen 2 or 3 players since launch... given the popularity of the Alliance on that poll I saw I find that confusing. So, needless to say I only have NPCs to keep me company I hope for more challenge to be added to the game along with balancing things out so more professions and such are viable.
Although, I did have an interesting incident today, bounty hunting at Extraction Site, I think I made a cop hate me...because they ran into me... I had zero wanted status, but 3 or so of them turned on me -- I think you may have made your NPC Cop AI a little too close to the real world.
Love the game, I look forward to the game getting better and better. Peace...
(Death to the Empire, though...and Federation while we're at it...)
TL;DR -- more rewarding challenge, thanks.