But then, everything depends which path the noob goes down ( to which I’d add the proviso ’ as it should ’ ) . Once I had my Venture I spent several weeks mining and building up ISK…and getting the skills for a Procurer…in a 0.8 system. I never saw the point of mining in 0.6, 0.5 systems…I went ratting in those systems instead. So my first ( and only ) experience of being ganked was actually while ratting in a 0.5 system, and not while mining or on any mission…which is why it was several weeks into the game before it happened.
So the people mining and being ganked in 0.5 systems on day 1 are actually taking a riskier path. And the question then is…do they know they are on a riskier path ? Has some adherence to missions ( which I did not initially follow ) led them there ? This is extremely relevant.
I do know I take “risks” ( even though the only risk is losing a pixelated ship and the time it took to get it ) mining in 0.4 and Null, clearing asteroid belts of rats so I can mine… But I want to. That’s what makes it exciting.
I’m not playing games to feel safe. If I want safe I put a video of Robert Norman Ross and pass out with a glass of rhum.
I don’t know if they do but I do. Missions have nothing to do with my decision to live in 0.5 and operate in Low. I have to say that one of the graphs from the last MER made my mind up for me.
Besides, highsec is too populated and the gains are minimal.