(06-11-2020, 08:29 AM)Karst Wrote: The possibility of some type of factory mechanic has come up a number of times, of course. I think there are a few problems with the practical balance of it though.
The most obvious being: How do you avoid the mechanic acting as 'passive' money-making that doesn't add any actual gameplay?
If a factory module using ore and producing a more valuable version existed, it would simply result in players flying the ore route as normal, except that at the end they put the ore on a POB outside Manhattan instead of Manhattan itself (and later take off the finished product for a 30s no-risk trip).
That doesn't really enhance gameplay in any meaningful way.
The possibility of some type of factory mechanic has come up a number of times, of course. I think there are a few problems with the practical balance of it though. I don't see it when it is done right.
"passive' money-making that doesn't add any actual gameplay?"
it would not be Passive, it is a extra step in the mining Process. and a way that a base itself can make money. make them not so Useless
"except that at the end they put the ore on a POB outside Manhattan instead of Manhattan itself"
this would not work cause the Ore has to be refined before it can be hauled cause it is a 2 to 1 refined smelting Process, 2 ore to 1 Refined Item. and only the refined product is what would be worth something, Also the refined Products like Gold etc. could only be bought from POBs or any Processing plant. if could also be bought maybe at local Stations and Planets like it is now. so the Refined Items would be bumped up in Price and the Refined Items could also be sold Locally but for a much lower profit price. in the most part it would all work as it is now. but you could buy the Refined product at a much lower price at a POB.
In Real life the ores are processed into its refined state and taken locally. also the main point here is to have POB's near the mining areas, cause hauling Ore a long way would be pretty much worthless, cause it would not be worth much at any distance only locally. the Primary Refined Products would be worth a bit more than the Ores are worth now, So in no way it would throw off the balance of the game. Not a really large amount increase but enough in adding the 2nd stage to mining to be worth it. but mining rates might have to increase x2 at least in all areas that can be refined since now you're doing double the work. for example you could also have a Item that you have to bring into a POB that is apart of the Smelting Process.
Here are the steps.
1. A POB is set up with a Smelter, Lets say that you have to bring in Some fuel that uses up 5k to smelt 5k of refined
Goods
2. now you have to mine twice the ores as before
3. the smelter Refines the Ores at a 2 to 1 ratio
4. now over x amount of time the ores is smelted down to produce the Finished Refined metals.
5. Now you can pick it up and make maybe 3-4k or so Profit locally, or haul it to the end of the line and make 60 Mil or so at least. the point is using the Profit by distance numbers the farther you take it the more you will make.
