I think the black markets could do with a little bit of love and attention in a way that could add a nice new dimension (and possible a new career mode with associated ranks) to the game.
.
As I understand it - I haven't checked recently, so it may have changed - black markets can be used to sell scooped cargo (flagged as stolen) and items that are classed as illegal at that station. Prices when selling to black markets seem to be half the Galactic Average and not all stations have black markets. In early Gamma, I found that selling to a black market reduced rep with the controlling faction - for me this was at an Anarchy system and I quickly became wanted there.
.
It would make a lot more sense to me if every station that has goods that are considered illegal had a black market. In real life, there is always a black market for anything considered illegal, although I guess they aren't necessarily easy to find.
.
I think that selling Stolen good to a black market should pay out about 20% of the Galactic Average. Half is way too much. However, selling illegal goods should pay out way more than the Galactic Average. Also, the black market should be an active economy running alongside the normal economy. You should be able to buy (with limited supply) illegal goods from the black market at an even higher price than selling to it. Selling to a black market should reduce demand for the commodity, the same as selling to the normal market does.
.
This could result in missions of "Go get me some illegal X" and commanders could then get a choice of flying off to find somewhere that the item is legally for sale at a normal price, or take a hit buying from the stations black market but turn in the mission faster.
.
The best result of this change, though, is that smuggling would actually be worthwhile. Find a system that exports an item that is illegal in another system and do smuggling runs between the two. Better still, find a combination of two systems that allow for smuggling runs in both directions for a real win.
.
For this smuggling to work as a game mechanic, there needs to be a real risk, though. Being caught smuggling illegal cargo should result in an instant "Unfriendly" status if your current status was Neutral or better. Being caught when already Unfriendly should result in instant "Wanted" and the authorities/station opening fire. That way, the first time players are caught smuggling, they have to decide if they are going to work some missions for a while to repair their rep, find a different station to smuggle to or just run the risk of destruction.
.
Selling to the black market should not damage reputation, though. Not sure if it was a bug or if it has changed since I did it, I know the reputation system has been played around with a lot during and since.
.
If this was all implemented, there could be a new career mode with ranking for smugglers. I doubt this ranking would get implemented now that there is a "Race to Elite" going with the current 3 ranking systems. Shame really.
.
As I understand it - I haven't checked recently, so it may have changed - black markets can be used to sell scooped cargo (flagged as stolen) and items that are classed as illegal at that station. Prices when selling to black markets seem to be half the Galactic Average and not all stations have black markets. In early Gamma, I found that selling to a black market reduced rep with the controlling faction - for me this was at an Anarchy system and I quickly became wanted there.
.
It would make a lot more sense to me if every station that has goods that are considered illegal had a black market. In real life, there is always a black market for anything considered illegal, although I guess they aren't necessarily easy to find.
.
I think that selling Stolen good to a black market should pay out about 20% of the Galactic Average. Half is way too much. However, selling illegal goods should pay out way more than the Galactic Average. Also, the black market should be an active economy running alongside the normal economy. You should be able to buy (with limited supply) illegal goods from the black market at an even higher price than selling to it. Selling to a black market should reduce demand for the commodity, the same as selling to the normal market does.
.
This could result in missions of "Go get me some illegal X" and commanders could then get a choice of flying off to find somewhere that the item is legally for sale at a normal price, or take a hit buying from the stations black market but turn in the mission faster.
.
The best result of this change, though, is that smuggling would actually be worthwhile. Find a system that exports an item that is illegal in another system and do smuggling runs between the two. Better still, find a combination of two systems that allow for smuggling runs in both directions for a real win.
.
For this smuggling to work as a game mechanic, there needs to be a real risk, though. Being caught smuggling illegal cargo should result in an instant "Unfriendly" status if your current status was Neutral or better. Being caught when already Unfriendly should result in instant "Wanted" and the authorities/station opening fire. That way, the first time players are caught smuggling, they have to decide if they are going to work some missions for a while to repair their rep, find a different station to smuggle to or just run the risk of destruction.
.
Selling to the black market should not damage reputation, though. Not sure if it was a bug or if it has changed since I did it, I know the reputation system has been played around with a lot during and since.
.
If this was all implemented, there could be a new career mode with ranking for smugglers. I doubt this ranking would get implemented now that there is a "Race to Elite" going with the current 3 ranking systems. Shame really.
