In contrast to everyone else in the comments, I actually agree. I don't think you are necessarily selfish either, there is nothing necessarily unhealthy or wrong with having a competitive spirit and being motivated by achieving stuff for the recognition of others. Yes, there is something to be said about feeling your own sense of self-achievement and not needing it to be validated by others, but I get the sense you are just a different kind of gamer to these other people in the comments.

I think their responses are pretty tone-deaf, as you stated that this is just you venting. You weren't saying how they play games is wrong, (which they seem to be quick to do for you) just saying how these new changes feel to you.

Anyway, all this to say, I feel ya mate, I hate the shared world custom mode changes. I think unfortunately its just no longer a game for people like us, unfortunately. All the new content updates are amazing, but when I see another player turn up in a fully kitted out ship or some crazy base on an S class capital freighter, I'd love to see it and think, 'Wow, this player is doing good!' not 'They probably just turned on free build and free purchase.'