' Wrote:The problem with smuggling is that there is no risk when no other players are online and in your way. So people do it late at night when thera are ~50 other players logged in. Dont tell me you dont. Every one of <strike>you</strike> US do it *points around the room*
' Wrote:I'm confused
Isn't that the definition of smuggling?
No, if you have a corporate ID you are supposed to be a pilot of that corporation, and thus NOT break the law by smuggling (unless there's some intricate Lore-related excuse, which there is for some corporations/commodities).
True, it is a problem that corporate ID'd 5K'ers would go all out crazy hauling cardamine instead of leaving it to other ID's with more strict cargo hold restrictions, but can't that be rectified by FR5's and sanctions (ID-related sanction, can't remember the rule number)?
I would love to see smuggling come back stronger, as it is a fun way of trading. I would also LOVE to see the Gold Rush come back strong - it spurred so much activity and intensity in each encounters (more fun for traders, escorts and pirates alike). The gold ore route was great too, adding activity in Bretonia, Tau's and Liberty - large parts of the map.
' Wrote:Yeah well, the ID wouldn't be an issue if it wasn't for the retarded limitations on generic IDs
Well the way contraband profits used to be balanced, it was done on the premise of a smaller ship (i.e. you would do runs in a BWT with 3600 cargo and make a similar/slightly higher profit to a corporate power trade route in a 5K'er) - introducing 5K'ers into the mix (especially when lawful) just breaks the balance, as well as immersion.
I powertrade like a boss in a 3600 cargo ship, and that made me rich. I think the limitations are just fine.
' Wrote:How would it break immersion? The cargo restrictions don't make any iRP sense whatsoever
Of course it does. Large corporations investing millions and millions in the top tech ships (aka the 5K'er), leaving freelancers and lesser folk to only buy ships available on the general market.
It breaks immersion when you see Mr. Corporate ID using trade lanes to deliver illegal goods, for the very same reason you don't see FedEX couriers smuggling drugs on the US-Mexico border - one can assume that there will be a rigorous control mechanism (detailed registry/flight plans/cargo receipts and such) in place for a corporate-employed pilot, and that any such "bad seeds" within a corporation would be rooted out fairly fast. That's the sole benefit of the Freelancer ID for trading - you are independent and free.
' Wrote:Of course it does. Large corporations investing millions and millions in the top tech ships (aka the 5K'er), leaving freelancers and lesser folk to only buy ships available on the general market.
If a freelancer can afford to buy a 5ker, it doesn't make sense not to
That's what breaks immersion