Used to be CMDR AIKI_ZVEZDA, took part in DW2 (still have the patch on my bag!) and contributed a bunch to the GMP.
After years of not playing, Elite is in a state where I feel like it's been renewed and has promise

it is a pretty bold, but brilliant move of the developers to focus not just on new ships to chase, but also more social gameplay, deepen the MMO qualities of the game.
I am intrigued, but I do want to see how the colonization event goes first!
Do have to admit I still don't have interest in a particularly LONG journey; I've explored for FAR too many lightyears, and stopping at Sag A* was enough for me in DW2, as I just wasn't very interested in the empty inky outer arms.