Let's Talk Fuel

[Nika]

And for each of these, including fuel, there are ways to implement them with a minimal effect on the "arcadiness" of the game.

So then how would you actually implement fuel and other similar mechanics without impacting the arcade nature of the game too greatly?

After reading through the suggestions, my current favorites are those that add things without impinging on normal gameplay, unlike my original conceptualization:

• Fuel instead of ZOI: aka, ships can go outside of their normal zoi and do whatever they want, but they must be using fuel in those instances. This means that taskforces can operate far afield, but even if they bring an oiler, it can be targeted and destroyed, and then the ships are essentially dead meat unless they can land on a friendly base in hostile territory.
  
• Fuel cost for traversing unstable jump holes: this is a combination of multiple ideas, but basically unstable jump holes can be used with any amount of cargo, but require X amount of fuel. This means that there's still an effective cargo limit, but it's far more flexible than the current 650 cut-off.
  
• Fuel improves cruise speed: any time you have fuel, your cruise speed goes up by some marginal amount. This opens possibilities of using it tactically in fleet fights and interceptions, and of course adds a layer of min-maxing to long trade routes.
  

Or just don't go through with this, any way to restrict players moving around is a horrible idea. Surprised you, of all people, came up with this - or got to post it.