Very much, yes.
First off, I'm talking about unprovoked, non-consensual, surprise PvP here. It's ALWAYS okay to bounty hunt, run BGS protection, intercept rival Powerplay members or pirate players - if the other person doesn't want that, they shouldn't be in open. What fun would trading be if there were no risk of pirates? However even people who welcome pirates and other legit PvP activities tend to dislike randoms attacking for no reason, particularly when the aggressor has nothing to gain 'in game' from doing so.
Having said that - random aggression can still be amusing for both parties if you're cool about it.
* Communication is key
Broadcasting something shows that communication is open and you're not just there to ruin their night.
A persona helps. Lighthearted goon (like Zaphod above) works well, as does the a highly territorial duke claiming an area of space... something light.
If you have to be edgy you can go driven mad, like a firefly-style reaver. If you do, bonus points here if your reaver ship has the raider ship-kit.
* Level the playing field.
Don't use a fully engineered 'Vette or FDL. Ideally fly something silly (T7) or smaller (Cobra, Adder, etc). Chances are you're going to out match the random open-play yobbo anyhow, and what challenge is ganking someone in a fully engineered cutter?
Try things like adding Rails to an adder, or fully engineering a Sidey. Jump in a Keelback with only shields and punk them with a fighter.
* Ideally aim to humiliate, not destroy
Losing a rebuy can really hurt. Instead look to disable thrusters and FSD. Maybe pop the cargo hatch... and then don't pick it up, so they have to faff about picking it back up themselves. Remember: Annoy, not destroy.
I feel like, if you roll with those ideas, unexpected, unprovoked PvP can be a interesting memory and fun experience for all involved.
You can't do that with just the base product. Engineering should be a bonus, not a requirement.
(Side note: In the original proposal randomly engineered modules were going to show up at 'normal' stations for a premium. Whatever happened to that idea?)
Like in real life someone will kill you. Some wnker in a car. or someone with a knife, or a nasty animal like this dog with their owners when I was working at at station and I went to stroke him he bit me.
Let's go through those examples:
> Some wnker in a car.
In general that driver was either not paying attention or you walked into traffic. The other drivers aren't hunting you in customized killing machines.
> or someone with a knife
It's pretty rare someone with just start stabbing (although it does happen - stay off drugs, kids). Normally they just want money or it was part of an existing dispute.
Note I support PVP pirates and Powerplay/BGS PvP, so that's... fine.
> I wass working at at station and I went to stroke him he bit me
Ever heard the saying, "let sleeping dogs lie"? Yeah. Do that.
If this was the case in Elite, I don't think there would be a problem... Accidents happen, piracy is okay and if you hassle a big-dog that doesn't want to be hassled you'll get bit.
But in Elite it's not an accident. The people ganking aren't just after your wallet. And those dogs are out biting at random.
