OK, I've never contributed to this debate in the past as I've never had anything to say before. But seeing as this thread has started up fresh again, I do have an observation to contribute.
When I trade, I trade safe. I trade in Mobius. I trade in a D rated Anaconda with no weapons and no shields, to maximize my profits.
My trade route seemed safe as well, for a good couple of months I was getting a return of 3300Cr per ton per round trip, until recently these past weeks it has become apparent that others are now using the same route, trading the same commodities, Imperial slaves one way, and Marine Equipment the other. Problem is now that others are here, and they seem to be here in force, as is evidenced by the large number of Anacondas now present in the traffic report, the effect has been to reduce the supply of Marine Equipment at one end while reducing the demand at the other, to such an extent that the profits from each round trip has now been reduced by 250,000Cr.
Why is this a problem? It's not really, it doesn't bother me that much, but say this were for real, and for roleplay reasons I was so upset with the reduction in my profits to such an extent that I decided to take direct action to protect my profits, the following quandary arises with the solo/group/open mode approach of this game:
If I want to eliminate the competition I have only one option: Enter open mode and start attacking my opposition. This means I may hopefully drive off the competition, as they may then decide to look elsewhere for a safer trade route. I cannot enter solo and drive off the player in solo mode, and neither can I molest my competition if I were to find them in Mobius Group.
If the open mode player is upset with ME ruining HIS profits, there is nothing he can do about it. Similarly if the open mode trader is upset with the solo mode player reducing his profits, he also can do nothing about it.
There is nothing to stop me, after switching into open mode to attack my competition, from switching back to Mobius group to continue trading, thus giving the open mode trader no option to attack me back, to fight to preserve HIS trade route.
Similarly the solo mode trader can switch to open mode and attack the open mode trader if he so desires, and then return back to solo, without any recompense.
The game is stacked against the open mode player in nearly all respects, and because it is not an open mode only game, and the universe is the same across all modes us players are left with too much choice. If we had the choice to play in solo or group, it really should be a separate PvE universe to the open mode universe, not all connected.
I choose to trade in Mobius group, simply because it is the easiest option. I don't have to fear reprisals from other players, I have no worries about being attacked, and I can get away with a minimum specced trade ship which has been maximized for cargo.
If the game was an open only universe, like EVE for example, then I would be forced to adjust my ship specs and make changes to my trading habits, such as be more organized and trade in a wing for greater protection, and kit out my ship for combat as well as trade, reducing my trade profits, but because of the solo/group/open nature of the Elite universe, I, and I assume a large majority of the player base, are always going to choose the easier option, the path of least resistance.
Open mode is only a place that we go, when we CHOOSE to. If we had no other choice, Elite would then truly be Dangerous. As it is, and as I imagine it will stay, the game is too easy, with too many easy options, and while there is much conflict in the human occupied space, it is predominantly PvE, with PvP just being something we can do only if we choose to, like some may dip into CQC from time to time, so therefore the game is not a truly PvP experience, with all the excitement and risk that goes with it, and probably never will be.
My two cents.
