Zen and the Art of Grinding. - how a trading hater had an epiphany.

gamecat · Jan 23, 2015

I've been a big trading grind hater for a long while and would often scoff at solo play.

In a credit starved career for the first time tonight I started to trade hardcore.

I found a very close luxury route that created a 135k every 4 minutes in a T6.

I stuck on a podcast and strapped myself in to see how long I could endure the grind in solo expecting the tedium to drive me insane after 10 minutes.

After about an hour I realised I went into a trance like state, a relaxing, meditative mode where I started to mentally time each run. I decided to throw down about 2.5 mill on power and thrusters turning my rather momentum prone brick into a rather more supple and elegent chunk of metal.

Having had a rather tiring day the solo mode meant no paranoia and the quick runs could be done on automatic so I could focus on the podcast and relaxing. Before you know it, I had an epiphany, a moment of astounding revelation, I was actually enjoying myself.

Usually I pvp which sometimes generates massive doses of adrenaline that could leave me hyped up more than any other game(I get it real bad), but this time I really appreciated the softer side of ED and this took me back and reminded me why I loved the original Elite.

SpySat1 · Jan 23, 2015

You sneaky secret trader lover you!

gamecat · Jan 23, 2015

SpySat1 said:
You sneaky secret trader lover you!

Yeah, I've come out, and I'm proud! Lol

tristancliffe · Jan 23, 2015

It's quite bearable when you get into that zone - trying to beat your times, docking more accurately, and refining ways to save 0.2 seconds off departure without endangering yourself. But I couldn't do it without the occasional break for a fight or a trip to a high tech station for goodies.

Out2lunch · Jan 23, 2015

I hit that zone today for the first time.

I was watching a movie and grinding out my route pulling in 147000cr in 9 mins.

When the movie was over I couldn't believe I'd pocketed 1.5mil credits.

Woop woop let's hope I can do that again tomorrow.

Mohrgan · Jan 23, 2015

Bravo. You unlocked the secret of diversification. I'm glad to hear that it's ok to branch out and take advantage of the resources out there. I, myself have discovered that in order to stay entertained, and solvent, I would need to widen my perspective.
:
I hope many many people, who want to balance all of the role to have equal income read this post.

Sysmon · Jan 23, 2015

Not only that, you are also learning to relax and enjoy things slowly!

S

Yokai · Jan 23, 2015

gamecat said:
I've been a big trading grind hater for a long while and would often scoff at solo play.

In a credit starved career for the first time tonight I started to trade hardcore.

I found a very close luxury route that created a 135k every 4 minutes in a T6.

I stuck on a podcast and strapped myself in to see how long I could endure the grind in solo expecting the tedium to drive me insane after 10 minutes.

After about an hour I realised I went into a trance like state, a relaxing, meditative mode where I started to mentally time each run. I decided to throw down about 2.5 mill on power and thrusters turning my rather momentum prone brick into a rather more supple and elegent chunk of metal.

Having had a rather tiring day the solo mode meant no paranoia and the quick runs could be done on automatic so I could focus on the podcast and relaxing. Before you know it, I had an epiphany, a moment of astounding revelation, I was actually enjoying myself.

Usually I pvp which sometimes generates massive doses of adrenaline that could leave me hyped up more than any other game(I get it real bad), but this time I really appreciated the softer side of ED and this took me back and reminded me why I loved the original Elite.

Yep. Trading is zen and relaxing.

Flyinpiranha · Jan 23, 2015

Great post. Beating my time is something I always try. Its like Sim racing on a track getting those corners just perfect with a non supercar

keem85 · Jan 23, 2015

I earned 70 millions today, on a timespan of 7-8 hours doing the exact same thing with my fully cargo-equipped T9. Of course with small breaks in between

DYSEQTA · Jan 23, 2015

I've come to view trading as an endurance race, for those familiar with Australian racing think the Bathurst 1000. Make sure you are using a fuel scoop as that really adds something to the "race". The Bathurst 1000 is 1000km around the same 6.2km course, 161 laps, he who perfects those 6.2km wins.

Fuel scooping adds another aspect to perfect, and to me it is the equivalent of finding the perfect line through a corner. Each star has it's optimum fuel scooping range/speed just like every corner of a race track has it's perfect line and speed.

I can't say I recall ever hearing the Bathrust 1000 referred to as a grind-fest by it's "players".

Jorlin · Jan 23, 2015

trading has something of meditation, yes.
and since i play to relax, trading is a way to to it.

but sometimes i wonder what i'm doing there, park the T9, jump into the Python and just roam around and enjoy to do something very "unproductive".

Hilight · Jan 23, 2015

That "zone" you find yourself in is called 'reverie' and is an extremely enjoyable state of consciousness that I learned about many, many years ago while driving tractors tilling huge fields on my family farm in the midwest US....anything you can do to attain reverie and stay there for awhile, is a good thing by my reckoning

Rich Bramwell · Jan 23, 2015

Without solo play, going from orbital to another orbital would have no doubt taken me a whole lot more time waiting for peeps to dock and undock in open play. Yes it's great for some aspects of the game, but open play can get annoying if you just wish a quiet night of money grabbing, and to get a T9, Python or an old Ani then you really need to be dedicated and grind the space trucking to 100 million or above.
When I have what I am happy with in solo play. then I will cruise around open play and not worry about ship costs or loosing a hull or two...well maybe not the Python.....just a Vulture or two, maybe three.
What about the Boa's fuel and running costs then chaps.?

DAYLEET · Jan 23, 2015

gamecat said:
I've been a big trading grind hater for a long while and would often scoff at solo play.

In a credit starved career for the first time tonight I started to trade hardcore.

I found a very close luxury route that created a 135k every 4 minutes in a T6.

I stuck on a podcast and strapped myself in to see how long I could endure the grind in solo expecting the tedium to drive me insane after 10 minutes.

After about an hour I realised I went into a trance like state, a relaxing, meditative mode where I started to mentally time each run. I decided to throw down about 2.5 mill on power and thrusters turning my rather momentum prone brick into a rather more supple and elegent chunk of metal.

Having had a rather tiring day the solo mode meant no paranoia and the quick runs could be done on automatic so I could focus on the podcast and relaxing. Before you know it, I had an epiphany, a moment of astounding revelation, I was actually enjoying myself.

Usually I pvp which sometimes generates massive doses of adrenaline that could leave me hyped up more than any other game(I get it real bad), but this time I really appreciated the softer side of ED and this took me back and reminded me why I loved the original Elite.

I was also doing luxury route last 2 days, in fullscreen window mode i have media player classic in (Always on Top) mode and have movies playing right in the game =)

Jockey79 · Jan 23, 2015

tristancliffe said:
and refining ways to save 0.2 seconds off departure without endangering yourself.

I failed that one today, was a fraction of an inch too high in my Type 7 today and it was the fastest I've ever undocked in it since I've had it - I was really motoring out the hatch when.. *crunch* and I'm stuck in the door way with 32% hull left.

Made it to the other station ok, but was gutted my best undock time was ruined

Tistuto · Jan 23, 2015

If you like the dreamy relaxing state of that and don t care too much about profit you should load your asp for long jump range and try exploring far away

Shads · Jan 23, 2015

I've been farming a 2 station route for about a month now. I agree with the op it becomes almost meditative. But it did make we wonder just how 'bot-able' this game would be?

Wood67 · Jan 23, 2015

+1 to all this. I stopped ED for the last week, mainly because I installed FSX now it's on Steam and watned to get that working with TrackIR. There's a surprising level of similarity between FSX and ED Trading, particularly in the 'flying' experience. Came back to ED last night post patch and It Was Good. Couple of great Nav Point duels, rounded off with calming trading before bed-time.

Funny to note people looking to shave seconds off their runs. I use the stopwatch on the X-52 for that very reason!

Dr Roly · Jan 23, 2015

I love getting into the "zen grinding" zone. I keep seeking out little efficiencies; controlling the ship so the landing gear fully extends and the ship coasts to a halt right above the landing zone, that sort of thing. It is a relaxing, and profitable, way to spend an hour or two.