Grouping in Eve worked the exact same way. Might not be as profitable but its safer and easier. Also, it can be a way to tackle harder missions or groups than you could tackle normally. Or do things more efficiently with hauling? Did Eve do it differently?

It would be nice to see some complexes or big AI bases people could attack. Those would be fun.

They'll just warn new players away from trying to interact with M2S members on any respectable level.

You needs friends backing you up in a coordinated group. Adding friends into the mix always makes it more fun.

Some arhkes with demob or ECM's fitted that can hamper attackers while you roll off.

I've had a similar experience. I haven't found a way to make them work in combat.

I usually leave the combat area, turn it on and go afk for 10 mins while it repairs. Doesn't seem ideal.

Honestly, I couldn't care less what it borrows from Eve.

It does a lot of things right that put it ahead of Eve in my book. It's a fun, complex and interesting sandbox MMO. Who really cares about anything else? Play it and have fun. There is plenty of room in the MMO stratosphere for all of us without getting caught up in the mess of intellectual proprietorship.