Usefullness of trading factions. Or uselessness rather...

[Knjaz]

Well, there's really a very simple solution:

Make an official trading faction-only transports with significantly increased cargo. Say, 6-6.5k, or even more. Make 5k transports available to newcomers. (there shouldn't be any difference between "indie" and official faction incomes for new players, at least official faction shouldn't provide less opportunities).

Maybe, turn 4 "house" trains into this, and instead give indies smth civillian sirius-wide with 5k cargo, like a Titanic.
EDIT: Except for IC. Or any other faction, that can freely trade almost everywhere. Otherwise, everyone will run into IC.

Do this, and you will get flooded with recruits. So there's a drawback:
() Due to increased number of players, you will have to spend WAY more time checking your players behaviour, there will be more incidents with lolwut players getting into your ranks etc. But I guess it would be managable.
() You will get alot of attention from players, that would never want to be RPing traders, and would like to join you for profits only. How bad it is, is another question, since increased faction activity is always good, even if said player will leave you in future. All he need to do is to RP while he's with you. And some of them, in the process, may get friends and change their mind.

Also, if something like this gets implemented, admin team should watch over trading faction recruiting procedures, so they wont turn into closed "elitist" group.

Why increased cargo hold, and not nerfing current system, by giving 4-5k transport to officials only? Because this game does NOT require any more nerf, especially in income area. If you do this, then you will see 2 things
1) Powertraders will have to grind their money for Longer period of time.
2) People will leave from trading into mining, since it gives significantly higher income per cargo unit.


IMHO, with all drawbacks, this may work.

Last, but not least. Just an advice to official trading factions: RP is good, but the main reason for your existance (well, many of you), is to make profit. Of course there're other missions, but profit is essential for any commercial private-owned company. Dont restrain newcomers from making profit. By doing this, you're pushing yourselves too far into "quality" side, and your "quantity" stays where it is now.

P.S. And, uhm to better understand the general idea, regarding balancing of trade routes, official-faction only ships etc.:
1) I'm suggesting official trading faction member may be getting 120% of the profit, and indie 100%, NOT 80% for indie and 100% for official.
2) I'd never suggest making official-only ships for ANY other factions other then trading ones. It's just that trading faction need a serious buff. Especially since they're THAT well visible to pirates via Player list.