I was thinking about this earlier but in regards to Smuggler Gameplay. One idea is I have noticed that (I think) Nomad Players have a way of "cloaking" themselves on the player list (sometimes I'll see a Nomad Tagged ship in "Kusari" or "Gallia") Perhaps there could be a way to tie this to an equipment? Personally I hate the idea of adding another PoB equipment for people to have to farm but it is something I had considered. It would allow Pirates (and smugglers?) the ability to essentially "Cloak" themselves on the player list. it would be a lot harder to dodge someone (or catch in the case of Smugglers) when they are simply "Omegas" or "Bretonia"
I do agree though something needs to be done to aid the Pirate Gameplay Loop as Amba put it there needs to be something for them to fill the time gap Shooting NPCs is fun and all but it does actually get old eventually.
As one of the "Triumvirate of Activity" in my eyes:
(Traders Trade -> Pirate Pirates Trader ->Law Enforcement Engages Pirate.with the latter two flipping when Smugglers are involved)
I feel it is one of the few that hasn't received much in the way of help in recent years with traders getting invaluable tools like DarkStat, faster transports, etc and Lawfuls getting well, everything lawfuls get (TLAGs Net, Caps etc) Not sure though short of better Guns/Ships or some sort of equipment as previously mentioned there I am at a bit of a loss.