The video confirms that mission payouts, especially for higher-tier and industrial missions, will be significantly increased to better balance the in-game economy, though these changes may not arrive with the upcoming 4.8 patch. Additionally, fixes for underperforming courier missions are planned for 4.8, reflecting the development team’s ongoing efforts to improve mission rewards and refine the overall economic experience.
The video provides a quick update focused primarily on missions, the in-game economy, and upcoming 4.8 patch developments. A community member inquired about the mechanics of refueling missions, to which Elliot responded that working with the United Wayfarers Guild allows players to undertake singular missions where they can refuel multiple ships within one mission. This clarification led to a broader discussion about mission payouts, a topic of concern for many players.
Players have expressed dissatisfaction with the current payouts for higher-tier missions, especially those requiring groups of players and multiple ships, which often have poor rewards despite their difficulty and requirements. Elliot addressed this by confirming that the development team is planning a significant increase in mission payments across the board. The economic team has recognized that the current split between combat and industrial non-combat missions makes industry missions less competitive, and adjustments are forthcoming to balance this disparity.
Although these economic changes are planned, they may not arrive with the 4.8 update. The last known update from the economy team involved work on crafting, commodity, and item recovery systems, particularly focusing on claim costs and shop pricing based on material quality. The team aims to shift the economy away from profitable NPC sell loops toward a model centered more on player gear and interactions, indicating ongoing efforts to refine the economic experience.
Regarding courier missions, which have been notably absent or underperforming, Elliot assured that the team is actively investigating the issues. He reiterated that fixes for courier missions are targeted for inclusion in the 4.8 patch. This is encouraging news, especially since courier missions are considered an excellent option for new players to engage with the game’s mission system.
In summary, the video highlights upcoming improvements to mission payouts and the broader economy, with a focus on making industry missions more rewarding and fixing courier missions by 4.8. While the exact timing of the economic overhaul remains uncertain, the development team is clearly aware of player concerns and is working towards balancing the mission system and refining the economic model to enhance the overall gameplay experience.