Fdevs pls fix the blackmarket
- Thread starter djdoom32
- Start date
Its a little bit more subtle, but I agree it needs fixing.
Occasionally a BlackMarket should be cheaper, and occasionally more expensive.
But the problem is much, much bigger than just the BlackMarket. It comes from a weak economic model. Where are the taxes? Where are the charges to dock at a station? or to land? Where is the decay modelling of stock? Its this year's high tech really as valuable as 5-year old tech? Is that food really still fresh?
If you have highly taxed goods - such as tobacco or alcohol - combined with high demand, you'd expect the blackmarket to be cheaper - to undercut the local economy.
If you have illegal goods - it'll depend on the demand as to whether cheaper or more expensive. You need illegal plus high demand to get a chance of it being more expensive.
Yes the blackmarket economy is risky, but it also doesn't carry many of the expensive overheads of the legit economy, so I don't see that it should always be more expensive. Demand and supply - that is the one common element that should be the driver.
Occasionally a BlackMarket should be cheaper, and occasionally more expensive.
But the problem is much, much bigger than just the BlackMarket. It comes from a weak economic model. Where are the taxes? Where are the charges to dock at a station? or to land? Where is the decay modelling of stock? Its this year's high tech really as valuable as 5-year old tech? Is that food really still fresh?
If you have highly taxed goods - such as tobacco or alcohol - combined with high demand, you'd expect the blackmarket to be cheaper - to undercut the local economy.
If you have illegal goods - it'll depend on the demand as to whether cheaper or more expensive. You need illegal plus high demand to get a chance of it being more expensive.
Yes the blackmarket economy is risky, but it also doesn't carry many of the expensive overheads of the legit economy, so I don't see that it should always be more expensive. Demand and supply - that is the one common element that should be the driver.
The 'black market' you're selling to is pretty much a fence. You aren't selling to the end user/buyer, you're selling to a middleman, and they never pay full value for stolen goods.
It was a decent enough mechanic early on, but it's in need of some TLC at this point to make it more useful for those engaging in illicit activities.
Make it part of the crime & punishment update. Tie the payouts to faction states for the criminal factions in those systems. When they're in boom, payouts are better, when in bust, payouts suck, etc.. Balance it out with a boost in chance to be scanned and fined for carrying illegal goods. Give it some risk to go with the reward.
It was a decent enough mechanic early on, but it's in need of some TLC at this point to make it more useful for those engaging in illicit activities.
Make it part of the crime & punishment update. Tie the payouts to faction states for the criminal factions in those systems. When they're in boom, payouts are better, when in bust, payouts suck, etc.. Balance it out with a boost in chance to be scanned and fined for carrying illegal goods. Give it some risk to go with the reward.
I'm fine with the blackmarket paying less for goods. But we should also be able to buy stuff at a blackmarket. Especially rare goods when they are blocked. And blocked rare goods should always have a blackmarket in their station, regardless of the faction or powerpants.
The functionality for buying at a blackmarket is all there too, since there is a supply column that is only used to display a supply of 0.
The functionality for buying at a blackmarket is all there too, since there is a supply column that is only used to display a supply of 0.
I liked it better when you actually had to find a station with a blackmarket, rather than it being advertised in the system info.
Seems more believable if a blackmarket is supposed to be illegal or something.
Seems more believable if a blackmarket is supposed to be illegal or something.
Black Markets serve two purposes from a seller perspective.
Sell stolen goods - expect to get less than the value on the open market.
Sell illegal goods - expect to get premium value.
I'd also prefer that Black Markets are hidden by default:
- they should probably be run by specific 'gang' factions in the system that don't control the station or the system.
- only revealed having gained sufficient rep. or tip offs
- it would be pretty cool if there were also locations that were Black Market only hidden away in obscure places; asteroid belts, ring systems, canyons on the surface, etc.
- they should definitely have buy functionality - this would be a good way to make limited quantities of engineer materials available from alternate sources
Sell stolen goods - expect to get less than the value on the open market.
Sell illegal goods - expect to get premium value.
I'd also prefer that Black Markets are hidden by default:
- they should probably be run by specific 'gang' factions in the system that don't control the station or the system.
- only revealed having gained sufficient rep. or tip offs
- it would be pretty cool if there were also locations that were Black Market only hidden away in obscure places; asteroid belts, ring systems, canyons on the surface, etc.
- they should definitely have buy functionality - this would be a good way to make limited quantities of engineer materials available from alternate sources
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Honestly this has been a problem since day one, mainly with the lack of distinction between smuggling (goods bought where they are legal and sold where they are illegal) and piracy (goods stolen and sold anywhere).
It was improved slightly a while ago, but from what I can tell smuggling goods STILL pay less than if you just traded them where they are legal. Which is unbelievable given how easy it is to fix. Is good stolen - no, is good illegal here - yes = 150% profit, or whatever, tweak the numbers regularly until they feel right.
Stolen goods selling for less is absolutely fine and makes sense however, you didn't buy them so the profit margin is still potentially quite large. Though I still think Low Temp Diamond miners should fly with a bodyguard or two to up the challenge for that particular good, to give lower end commanders a reason to target high tech system goods etc.
But I digress.
It was improved slightly a while ago, but from what I can tell smuggling goods STILL pay less than if you just traded them where they are legal. Which is unbelievable given how easy it is to fix. Is good stolen - no, is good illegal here - yes = 150% profit, or whatever, tweak the numbers regularly until they feel right.
Stolen goods selling for less is absolutely fine and makes sense however, you didn't buy them so the profit margin is still potentially quite large. Though I still think Low Temp Diamond miners should fly with a bodyguard or two to up the challenge for that particular good, to give lower end commanders a reason to target high tech system goods etc.
But I digress.
I love that. Good ideas
Agreed on these points, pay less for stolen, pay more for smuggled/illicit goods (especially rares that have come a long way!), SELL restricted/illegal goods (@150% normal price?) and HIDE it on the System Map; you should only know about a BM if you've already been to the station/port in question OR are sent there as part of a smuggling mission. +repped!