Should independents have it harder?

[kuth]

Ivan, I have respect for you, but honestly this thread does reek of whine.

Indie Traders are already limited. They cannot use huge transports like Corp Traders can. They don't always have the ability to high escorts (You know, because they aren't always around). They don't usually have the benefit of agreements like Corps do with Pirates or other groups.

Lets not forget that a Indie in a BWT isn't just some random person. He himself is a millionaire. He is rich. He isn't your standard citizen. He had the money to purchase a transport and the ability to operate it. He/she is in essence a small company. That means this is a completely ignorant statement:

You don't get to ship massive containers of goods from South Africa to the UK without special clearances, taxes, licenses etc.

No kidding? This has no bearing at all. A indie trader probably has as much money if not more than some of the said shipping companies. Guess what? Those companies started somewhere, perhaps they had one ship? Much like an indie trader?

As for these:

* He belongs nowhere, aka he's not in faction.
* He doesn't have to give a portion of his money to his corporation (either via donations or some weekly cut)
* He doesn't have to answer to anyone regarding his roleplay. (total freedom!)
* He's free to make contacts based on his own experience
* He's free to dock on most bases and make runs that are profitable

* Hence, Indie or Freelancer. That's kinda the point.
* Not all Corps have that condition. Please don't act like they do.
* That is largely how companies start. Are you suggesting we kill off all the small businessmen? Thus preventing new businesses from being started?
* That is one of the reasons people are Indie/FL, to make money.

* They can dock anywhere.
* They can purchase every commodity
* Basically no matter where they trade, they are neutral to people. Neutral isn't hostile necessarily

*They are indie's or FL's. Why wouldn't they be able to dock anywhere? They have no loyalties. The only reason a base would turn them away is if they have been rude, are carrying contraband that the base has laws against, etc etc.
* I wouldn't say neutral. Try hauling Artifacts or Caradmine into Liberty as an Indie/FL. I highly down Mr. LN is going to say you are neutral. I also bet he logs your info and ensures to check you every time he sees you.

Now, I'm not prone to placing this situation in the real world, but someone will surely mention freelancer contractors or, people with their own trucks / hauling vehicles and how they're trading things around.
Well, let me tell you something from start, you can't simply go somewhere and take the things, ship them off elsewhere and expect people to buy them from there. You have to sign a contract with the exporters in question. Why? Well, here's the simplest answer.
Indy trader (A) decides to buy 16 tons of cement and decides to haul it off to construction site (QS)
He didn't sign anything and he's off towards the (QS).
(QS) on other hand has no clue that (A) is coming and orders 16 tons of cement from the exporter (E).
Why would he accept (A) now when he ordered (E's) cargo, that's guaranteed and quality approved.

This is a game. Do not compare it to the real world. If you want everyone to make contracts, I want there to be a reactive trade system. Meaning if to many of said item is sold in a certain time frame, the price hits the bottom of the bucket. I highly doubt anyone wants that. (Me included.)

Having an corporate ID makes you a bigger target. Ageira to hackers, Kishiro to xenos, Kruger to hessians etc. It increases Roleplay, it gives it's drawbacks and advantages. You still remain faction-less and you don't enjoy full benefits.

That has always been the case. You usually have a better ability to meet the pirates needs, since you know, you work for a company that itself has millions if not billions. If you can't pay the pirate, your company can. That isn't always true for a Indie/FL so it may be a waste of time to hold them hostage/pirate them. Simple logic really.

Honsetly, you had to have know you comparing a game to real life would not take well. You also had to have known that asking why it is that indie/FL players don't RP contracts and asking if it should be forced on them would end badly.

I'll say it one last time. This isn't real life; don't compare the two. FL/Indie traders are millionaires, they can afford the license/taxes/fees because they are in essence a small business. How do you think the Corps got their starts? (Some of them anyways)

Does it suck that indie/FL trade routes are usually better? Sure. That means Corp trade routes need fixing. Don't mess with FL/indie's, they are balanced as is.

Ivan, don't take this as me flaming you. These are my opinions on the matter. If you disagree, then agree to disagree. I don't want to argue with you about it. Neither of us have anything to gain from doing so.

---

Lurker