OK so a few days have passed with a couple new patches. When the missions work, it's great fun. They've addressed some of the issues with missions in the .02 patch and more are undoubtedly coming. That's cool and all but there are still bugs in the BGS that have been around since 1.0. Namely, that the galmap and commodity screen still can't be trusted when searching for goods.
I got a mission to source some Reactive Armor and Battle Weapons. I'm supposed to be able to open galmap, open the Weapons category and select those two commodities and see in systems in which I've collected trade data who is buying and selling them.
And I'm told that VZ Corvi, a Federation Agricultural system, where battle weapons and reactive armor are illegal, are the place to get them, with blue arrows arching across the map to all the nearby systems. Two other systems also show as exporting them, but do not in fact produce or sell them.
EDIT: VZ Corvi has a bunch of stations and outposts, and I did find the Battle Weapons in very limited quantities at a lone outpost, so that part appears to be working! Moral of the story, check the corner store when the big box doesn't have what you need in inventory. Still looking around for the reactive armor though
On the flip side, when visiting a refinery/industrial station, I'm picking up some aluminum to haul back to VZ Corvi for a mission. I should be able to check the commodity list and select VZ Corvi from the drop down to see what VZ Corvi needs. That way I can load up my hold with the most valuable commodity to maximize the profit from the trade run. Some of the commodities are correct - crop harvesters and other ag related materials are for sale and show exported to VZ Corvi. But at the same time, beer and wine shows VZ Corvi as "Exported To" even though the station has none for sale, and VZ Corvi sells both by the megaton.
Obviously some data in the trade tables is backwards. It might not seem like a big deal, because anybody whose played the game enough knows what items are available for sale and what will be purchased by looking at the system description. But when it comes to actually trying to find materials to source like these battle weapons, it turns what should be a fun exercise in buy-low-sell-high into a frustrating shell game, made worse if there is a mission fine or reputation on the line.
Even more concerning is the effect this has on the BGS itself. If I understand correctly, these trade routes are supposed to determine the economy of the galaxy at large. What effect does this have on system states and supply and demand? Odd price fluctuations and inventory for one, but it's got to also affect the number and types of missions available at a station, not to mention triggers for state changes. All of which feeds back into the entertainment value of the mission system and BGS in general. When it works, it's great... But when it doesn't, it really impacts my enjoyment of the game. I'm really, really hoping that this gets the kind of love that the AI is getting. Even though it's not as flashy or important, it the foundation of the game.
And the new system state galmap filter is still busted. I'm really looking forward to being able to use it -- I think it will be a great source of fun for the whole galaxy... if it works.
