It's good that you still enjoy the game JayDee and you're right there is still plenty to do if you like PvP or have a group of friends to fly with. The trouble for me is I prefer not to fly with friends all the time, I like the random encounters with people, being stopped by police or fast-talking my way out of piracy and I happily deal with the consequences which usually leads me to being blown up. Recently there has been far less interesting people to run into and those I do meet are far more concerned with getting money or a kill than talking with me.
There are other characters I could create but I really like playing as a smuggler, a rare breed now and I'd prefer to continue playing as one but as it is now there's not much fun in it.