So I've had this idea for a couple of months now, and I had a look to see if anyone had mentioned something like this in the past, but I've yet to see anything myself. I apologize in advance if its been repeated, but I'll give it a whirl.
The basic idea of the mechanic is the ability to "Invest" in a particular space-station or outpost. Think of this as a local stock market for each station. If a pilot finds a nice trading route he thinks he would want to grind for awhile, he can invest in the stations economy. As he makes trading runs to and from the station, the station makes credits, and his investment grows to the point that he could "Cash-out" for a profit at some point. Of course this option does come with a potentially disastrous consequence. If the station's economy declines, he could stand to lose quite a bit. But there may be a way to prevent this...
We all know that any pilot who finds a honey-hole of a trading route likes to keep it a secret. This is common sense in game at the moment as revealing a great trading route would often cause several players to begin farming it as well, and it could in-time "run-dry" (The market will saturate). However, with a significant investment in a station, this would (In theory) ENCOURAGE pilots to advertise their trading runs. This way, if more people come to cash in at the traders, the investment that pilot would have made will skyrocket in value, and could make a good deal of profit for that particular investor. This could also work well for others who hear about these routes but have no interest in trading. If some players feel a stations economy is going to increase dramatically, they can invest as well. More investments drives the stations economy up, and with further trade boosting its performance, a lot of people could stand to make plenty of profit.
Concerning the player's reputation in the system, this could also work to boost relations with a particular party. Feel like you want to be more friendly with a particular group or sect? Make an investment at their station! Even if the investment doesn't go well, they may like you more as a result.
Now, this is hardly a polished idea. I can at least think of a couple ways right now that this system may be exploited; but with a little work I think this could become another staple for players in the "Late-game" to find another source of income that doesn't feel "grindy" to the point that they would rather gouge their eyes out with a rusty spork than make one more trade run with a cargo-hold full of industrial lubricant.
Constructive criticism is always welcome, and I'd love to hear what you all think.
The basic idea of the mechanic is the ability to "Invest" in a particular space-station or outpost. Think of this as a local stock market for each station. If a pilot finds a nice trading route he thinks he would want to grind for awhile, he can invest in the stations economy. As he makes trading runs to and from the station, the station makes credits, and his investment grows to the point that he could "Cash-out" for a profit at some point. Of course this option does come with a potentially disastrous consequence. If the station's economy declines, he could stand to lose quite a bit. But there may be a way to prevent this...
We all know that any pilot who finds a honey-hole of a trading route likes to keep it a secret. This is common sense in game at the moment as revealing a great trading route would often cause several players to begin farming it as well, and it could in-time "run-dry" (The market will saturate). However, with a significant investment in a station, this would (In theory) ENCOURAGE pilots to advertise their trading runs. This way, if more people come to cash in at the traders, the investment that pilot would have made will skyrocket in value, and could make a good deal of profit for that particular investor. This could also work well for others who hear about these routes but have no interest in trading. If some players feel a stations economy is going to increase dramatically, they can invest as well. More investments drives the stations economy up, and with further trade boosting its performance, a lot of people could stand to make plenty of profit.
Concerning the player's reputation in the system, this could also work to boost relations with a particular party. Feel like you want to be more friendly with a particular group or sect? Make an investment at their station! Even if the investment doesn't go well, they may like you more as a result.
Now, this is hardly a polished idea. I can at least think of a couple ways right now that this system may be exploited; but with a little work I think this could become another staple for players in the "Late-game" to find another source of income that doesn't feel "grindy" to the point that they would rather gouge their eyes out with a rusty spork than make one more trade run with a cargo-hold full of industrial lubricant.
Constructive criticism is always welcome, and I'd love to hear what you all think.
