Hi All,
I play in open, currently away in the middle of nowhere, only a few friends around. I use solo for landing Asp on outposts, so that I do not tie up the landing bay, and to check out pending states in the system, as you have to keep going back to the menu for the truth. I mught just as well play in a group, as there are 3 or 4 of us around here that often fly together in a wing. Open just makes it easier to organise.
I have not come across a psycho since week 2, when everyone is a bit trigger happy with their new game.
Piracy, well pretty much have to play in open - NPCs carry rubbish! I consider it valid game-play, but broken.
Miners, nly 700CR at mining cannot comment on more or less fun in Open.
Traders, why the hell would a trader be in open, in a trade ship? The Interaction with pirates needs tweaking. I cannot see a win situation for traders being in the open (I have been hi-lighting this since beta). A 1.7MCr Type-6 is effective in solo, does about 96 tons. To use a Type 6 in Open and have a chance (varies by pirate) of being able to run from a pirate is about 5.5MCr, and less cargo space. What is in it for the Trader to be in open? The thrill of being threatened, if you do not comply quicly like a robot (might as well by an NPC), your crippled, try to run they kill you. This from the pirates in other threads, something about their reputation or something. To counter pirates own description of themselves, I had many great interactions with pirates and CSG in Khaka doing the weapons run. Not all ended in violence!
Cheating however, well this is why I am in the middle of nowhere in open. The "Wing shield restore expoit". This has been used every time I have got involved in a wing based PvP. Leaves a nasty taste in the mouth regardless of outcome, and I am avoiding the obvious PvP areas until 1.3 comes out, with hopefully a fix.
Simon