In this video on Star Citizen, the creator discusses the impact of contract missions on the game’s economy balance. They explore how mission-based gameplay affects sandbox players, with factors such as time investment, profitability, convenience, safety, and potential differences in credit earnings, as well as the need for improvements like an escrow service for salvage contracts.
In this video, the creator discusses the impact of contract missions on the balance of the economy in the game Star Citizen. With the introduction of salvage, hauling, and mining contracts, players now have the option to pursue mission-based gameplay rather than exploring and seeking their own fortunes. The creator explores whether this disrupts the gameplay for sandbox players and affects the overall economy.
The first factor to consider is the time spent in scouting and research for players who choose to find resources or trade routes on their own. While this approach allows for more control and potential valuable discoveries, it can be less profitable in terms of generating income. The randomness of resource nodes helps balance the amount of money players can make from extraction. Trading, which involves dynamic economies, also helps prevent excessive profit from specific routes.
On the other hand, mission-based content, such as buying salvage or mining contracts, eliminates the time factor by providing players with the locations of resources. Instead, players pay a monetary cost for the convenience. This changes the balancing force from randomly generated resource deposits to the changing availability and value of contracts. However, this convenience comes with a potential decrease in safety, as attackers can target players in common mission areas.
Cargo hauling missions specifically entail carrying NPC-trader cargo without requiring upfront payment. The availability of these missions depends on the state of the economy. While this may initially seem balanced, there may still be a difference in credit earnings between contract players and those pursuing independent salvage or mining.
One issue with salvage contracts currently is that players lose the paid amount if they fail to complete the contract, especially if the server crashes. The creator suggests implementing an escrow service, similar to the one for refueling services, that protects players from losing money in the event of interruptions. However, determining the parameters for escrow payments in salvage contracts, such as market value or percentage of extraction, remains a challenge. The implementation of more contracts and the introduction of data running will bring further complexities to consider in the future.