Hi all,
First of, sorry for my english, not a native english speaker. I've read quite a good part of all sayings here (not all I admit as many points are either too often mentioned or doesn't bring anything new to debate.)
I admit playing only open because, for one the choice is given, my playstyle beeing totally non agressive seems to meet what I expect from the game doing so.
Please understand that I grind hard (as many others out there) trying to be a trader of common goods, and never have I touched a rare. I also like the *always go to an other place* yet, once I found a trade route that is nice, but I'm looking for a very specific place in my mind wher I could get good mining, along with some possible to colonize system nearby (for when it's implemented in game) and good trade spot... so that kind of set up is not... that easy to find. So yeah I play solo, but it does not mean I make it easy on me.
What strikes me, is that I see some guys defining piracy the way I could appreciate it in game, and that would not bother me that much to see them in open (admitting I go open, I'd drop a cargo for them, but I bet not doing rares they might be very frustrated... or wait not doing rares ? what chances are to see a pirate anyway ???)
But most (I have said most, not all....) crying guys I have seen yet for calling open play only, seems to only want one thing in the game, which is firing at people. Have you ever seen one considering that he would be willing to fighting for that particular system faction ?
Most of the solo traders players seems to only grind Cr.
What strikes me into those discussions for Open Vs Solo, is never on what would be the game be IF :
Pirating and open fire on other players in any non anarchy system would lead in players death by ships authorities, without ship insurance help ?
Well I guess, they would then chase only in Anarchy system...
And then we could finally all play the same game which is manipulate the systems governement/allegiance.
You want to be a pirate ??? fine to be allowed to shoot someone, you would then need to be in anarchy system... then you would maybe need to work your tail off to set the system on the route you want to pirate an anarchy system... then you would need to play the game, meaning you would need to mission...
Want to be a trader trading rares ??? well guess what, your route may be very well compromised by anarchy systems... to have a safe route you would need to work your tail off and mission to get that comfort... you would then play the game not only grinding Cr
And on final note... have the AI beeing way more agressive on anarchy systems, so even playing solo, going through those systems might be a thrill... because for now... you just fly into those at the same exact same peace as in non anarchy systems...
If only that safety would be guaranteed in non anarchy systems, I would bet many players would be more willing to play open.
Also, on the other hand, If I had a second Cmdr slot, I would use it to play open only as well, and doing it a role play theme where I would grind doing biowaste tradings for a start... so beeing cargo scanned aonly to find out that I have biowaste would be quite a lough...
So on my point of view of the game modes it allows me to play it the way I like, and I'm fine with it, but I admit a little love could be done so open would be far more popular... it's not really balancing that would change that, but the rules in systems that would be the most intriguing and wonderful playground that this game could offer. Cause for now, many see missions as a non Cr profit, so missions are not very popular (or at least it's how I percieve them), but missions is what is meant to change the background of the game. The rare good Cr grinders get probably a way too easy life as traders for now I guess beeing doing that in solo, and the ones wanting to do piracy will likely see less and less juicy preys as it advances...
What is to blame is not the game mode, but the lack of trading risks in solo... making it a for now that milking the rares trade route a too strong appealing to solo haulers. Make it harder to go through the anarchy sys. and then milking those routes will not be that easy anymore, beeing open or solo.
My 2 cents and sorry for long post