Hello there.
So there was a new market video today on youtube.
The devs explain the market interface and how you can sell and buy stuff.
Seems pretty simple, but as always, lots of questions arise, the longer I think about a certain mechanic.
So here are my thoughts and questions when it comes to economy:
In the video the player has 5.000 credits (or whatever).
If players would have no money right from the start, no one can ever place a buy-order and markets won't work at all.
Q1.) Will every new player have the exact same amount of money to start off with ?
Q2.) Will there be any 'money-sources' for players in the game where money can be earned from (total amount of 'money-per-player' is increasing) ?
Q3.) Will there be any 'money-sinks' where money can be destroyed (total amount of 'money-per-player' is decreasing) ?
It really blows my mind when it comes to economy in MUDs (multi user dungeons).
I dont know how this was considered by the devs in other games before, but I think it is very important in terms of economic stability.
CASE 1) So what will happen, when the answer to Q1+Q2 is YES and the answer to Q3 is NO ? (total amount of money will be ALWAYS increasing):
RISK - Due to inflation, the value of money will decrease and new players wont be able to afford things in the game.
CASE 2) What will happen, when the answer to Q1+3 is YES and the answer to Q2 is NO ? (total amount of money will be ALWAYS decreasing):
RISK - At a certain point there will be almost no money left in the game, unless new players pop in. And even this short bursts will cease to exist quickly.
CASE 3) The answer to Q1 is YES and the answer to Q2+3 is NO ? (amount of 'money-per-player' will ALWAYS BE STABLE):
RISK - New players could be broke quickly because of 'bad decisions'.
CHANCE - Broke players could gather materials or provide service to other players to earn money.
CASE 4) A1+2+3 = YES
RISK - Potentially unstable value of money (see CASE1+2).
So CASE 3 seems to be safe scenario here.
What do you think ?