Sittin' in the station bar, watching the ships roll in...

[iconoclysm]

Having this feature be kind of a chatroom for players to connect to each other would be amazing, especially in the rift. I can see myself spending hours using that kind of thing.

 

[TheProdigy]

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble but...

If a player can sit in a station bar (presumably with other players), and watch PC ships land/depart, then they'll need to be in the same instance as those ships, which limits the number of ships that could be in the same instance as other ships.
I think FD are more likely to keep the two elements separate for this reason.
That doesn't mean you couldn't sit in a bar and watch NPC ships going about their business, just not sitting in a bar and expecting to see your friend's ship arrive/depart.
Of course, I could be wrong...

Friends would be very likely to be put in the same instance.

 

[Angus]

Friends would be very likely to be put in the same instance.

And like somebody said, I'd be happy just watching anonymous ships drift in and out, going about their business, NPCs or players. It might even present opportunities to spot interactions between different factions or corporations ....or something.

Does this make me a species of train-spotter?

One thing I'm clear on though - no prams in the coffee bar!