So who do you plan to sell your exploration data to?

[Bruce Warren]

OK, so we know exploration is coming.

That being so you've scanned a new system and filled the computer banks with juicy data. The question thne becomes which of the major powers do you intend to sell the new data to?

 

[Thespen Tombs]

The highest bidder of course If only that was possible; I expect I'll go to the nearest place and sell there unless my rep is so bad I'd be shot.

 

[D'Kaeth]

I cannot imagine explorers will be doing it for the money since trading is still likely to me more lucrative. So I'd guess they will sell it to the group that gives them the best perks: rank, special missions, membership into some secret explorers association.

 

[Sly]

I doubt I'll do much exploration, but I'll probably try it at some point and sell everything to the Empire, who I plan to support in general.

 

[Hootmon]

I cannot imagine explorers will be doing it for the money since trading is still likely to me more lucrative. So I'd guess they will sell it to the group that gives them the best perks: rank, special missions, membership into some secret explorers association.

This^^

 

[thenickmove]

OK, so we know exploration is coming.

That being so you've scanned a new system and filled the computer banks with juicy data. The question thne becomes which of the major powers do you intend to sell the new data to?

Both!

To be honest though, not to be a downer, but this newsletter actually made me feel very underwhelmed. I really have the feeling this exploration is going to be fun for like 5 times, like a trade-run.

Go somewhere, scan, go back, earn money.
How I wish the data you collect actually would have some function. I know it's not the aim of ED, but exploiting the resources you find etc (a bit of empire building) would make this exploration so much more interesting.

To me now it sounds like it's going to be exactly the same like any other kind of 'fed-ex mission'. I really hope I'm wrong though ^^

 

[StuartGT]

Both!

To be honest though, not to be a downer, but this newsletter actually made me feel very underwhelmed. I really have the feeling this exploration is going to be fun for like 5 times, like a trade-run.

Go somewhere, scan, go back, earn money.
How I wish the data you collect actually would have some function. I know it's not the aim of ED, but exploiting the resources you find etc (a bit of empire building) would make this exploration so much more interesting.

To me now it sounds like it's going to be exactly the same like any other kind of 'fed-ex mission'. I really hope I'm wrong though ^^

I don't think it'll play out that way. Most likely it'll be:

1. jump somewhere
2. scan system
3. explore all planetary bodies & objects in system
4. scoop some fuel
5. repeat steps 1-4 a few times
6. return to nearest data accepting station

Explorers after all are out there to see things. Earning money for the data is to pay the bills

 

[Scourge]

Go somewhere, scan, go back, earn money.
How I wish the data you collect actually would have some function.

Have you noticed how there is no system view as such? I wonder if that's the data we'll be trading? I also wonder how? The whole Station interface UI is a mite weak if you ask me, obvious placeholders like the black market aside.

 

[the-monk]

I plan to sell to the alliance but its not listed.

 

[BigBossLucas]

I would Like to sell it to the Alliance, but I know they (we?) are more prohumanity-opensourcists and poor tha the other factions:S

 

[Bruce Warren]

I had thought of putting Alliance on the poll but I wasn't sure if they were in the market. The newsletter specifically mentions the Empire and the Feds as buyers and what might happen if you sell to both but doesn't mention the Alliance.

For that matter I don't know if the independents are interested either - not that I'd expect them to be able to afford much.

Should these guys be buying I'll have to ask if the poll can be amended.

Of course what would be really cool would be if you could keep the data for yourself and exploit it for your own nefarious purposes.

 

[Affront7]

I'd rather sell the data to the Alliance even if get less money then the other two, even give the data to the Alliance and perhaps you might benefit in other ways if not paid in cash??

 

[Half Giant]

I've always been interested in exploration. It is hard to see how the two factions could realistically keep separate map data since it is just purchasable and if an individual pilot can afford it then it would be an insignificant sum for a faction sponsored spy. Maybe that will be a mission - fly to opposing faction space, purchase map data, get back and deliver it to us, oh and they won't like you now and probably hunt you. I didn't really follow the part about the danger of selling to both sides. Anybody care to speculate? But I'm glad there seems to be even more to exploring than I'd thought.

 

[MajorEpeen]

I like money and have no preference who I sell to. MONEY!

 

[insanephoton]

What little we've heard about the Alliance doesn't suggest that they would be particularly interested. The Empire and the Feds would be looking to expand/exploit new systems. The Alliance as a whole would only take an interest when a system was already colonised. It's possible that individual states or corporations within the Alliance might be interested. It may be that you don't sell to any of the factions, but instead sell to individual corporations like Mastopolis.

 

[EAGLE 5]

The Alliance I seriously hope they will be included in this since they're more than likely going to need expansion more so than the Federation or the Empire.

Other than that I'll play it by ear.

 

[Iskariot]

For an autonomous contractor there can be only one answer: Whoever pays most. I feel no sympathy for any side and just like in real life I will never work exclusively for, or join any organization.
I would have said 'both sides', but from the news letter I gathered that might become very problematic in the long run.

 

[G.T]

Isn't another option to tell no one and go mining for whatever you find?

 

[Kris]

I didn't really follow the part about the danger of selling to both sides. Anybody care to speculate?

I think it is not so much about "danger", but about Reputation system and hopefully some Missions/Contacts (different sides have different Missions, also hopefully dynamic based on player base decisions). Especially about something you have found (artefacts, shipwrecks etc).

 

[D'Kaeth]

Isn't another option to tell no one and go mining for whatever you find?

Maybe. I suppose it depends on how they implement the mapping computers in the ship, locally.

If your ship cannot do anything with the raw data, then there would be no point in sitting on it. But if it can process the data into maps that you can keep and use, then maybe you want to hoard it.

You wouldn't have to buy the system info (as the newsletter mentioned) and would have somewhat exclusive access to it ...at least until someone else comes along, maps it and sells it.