Yeah, it took me about 10 minutes after starting up E: D first time back in beta 1(?), to reach my jump location. Only to be attacked by some two "assholes" on arrival, waiting for incoming newbs, I guess...
Since I didn't know much about the ability to bug out, didn't find my boost button quickly, I got promptly shredded to pieces, for carrying some fish... oh wait, no, the bugger's amusement!
After 3 such incidents of whom I barely survived two, leaving me with less than 1000 cr after repairs, I skipped E: D for a while.
Only picked it up to check on changes! And then came Solo and Group play!
No more problems' til then. Never had a look at open play again.
When I came across this group, I immediately joined. Like minded bunch of CMDRs I guess.
Now MP does make sense again.
I would like to see statistics on how many people play open vs. groups or solo... in the long run we may have open play concentrated around Azeban city and more like Quake Arena: dozens of buggers lurking around the no fire zone, waiting for a "new arrival" in each open play instance, boasting about their umpteenth "frag"... while anybody else has joined a group and enjoys the rich and beautiful universe?