ID - Mechanic: Proposal

[Laura C.]

I made bad comparison then, because megacorporations are... megacorporations. They have enormous amount of money, but they also possess considerable security forces. I'd even risk the statement that Sirian governments are actually afraid of doing wrong things towards their own companies, seeing how capitalism works.

In fact, nobody would even say "no" to Ageira. They actually own every TL and Jumpgate and if e.g. Liberty Navy started to put some pressure onto Ageira, the consequences would be rather fatal.

You should have warn us then, because Rheinland just recently said no to Ageira. Sounds like we are doomed now...

Seriously speaking, it is not that simple that corporations can do anything. Even those like Ageira. First, technically they don´t own every TL because Rheinland and Kusari nationalized them in the past by lore and now they just pay Ageira for maintanmance. Second, yes, Ageira can threaten to stop doing it, but it would be double-edged sword. Sure, Rheinland would be in serious trouble in that case (theoretically they could ask Gallia for help but re-building whole trade lane and jump-gate infrastructrure would cost incredible amount of money and took incredible amount of time, so it is really just theoretical option), Ageira would cut off itself from lot of money they get for their job. It would definitely not make them bankrupt, but you need serious reason to risk loss of such amount of money.


But back to the OP - I recommend you to play for some time as escort. You will quickly realized you will be unemployed majority of time unless you would be willing to work for really low/symbolic wage. Traders rather risk encounter with pirate than paying escort, in general it is cheaper, especially when you can metagame with player list and check your route for possible dangers. Also, when corporations manufacture ships and guns for military, it is just about laws if they can use them or not. There is nothing illogical in using bombers or even gunboats. Especially when even groups with limited technology possibilities can use them, like Junkers and even Freelancers. If they are allowed to use fighters, bombers and gunboats, why corps should not be too.

So basically what you propose is completely ooRP matter, there is no reason inRP for such restrictions. And in terms of gameplay it would end in situation when traders, even if they would want to have protection, there would not be enough players to provide it. Also, you would have to change completely ship balance, because restricting traders to freighters and transports only won´t make them defenceless and in full need of escort - just look at battletransports which are deadly if you know how to fly them and especially if two or more of them fly together and cover each other.

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On a ragebreak. Or ragequit. Time will tell.