Long Ben

Nowhere in my post did I argue that a monopoly was a good thing for the economy of this game. I find it rich someone so lacking in reading comprehension would recommend me to read a book. I have only argued that no monopoly exists in the game as had been stated by people in these forums. If you were capable of understanding what it is you read then you would have noticed. Perhaps you might like to take an objective look at the situation and realize that the mechanics to undermine a monopoly already exist within the game and have since day 1.

That is quite the theory you have there. Since this "did happen before," it makes me wonder how I was able to compete in the past. I've always played solo and never once run into any problems of being able to continue crafting. I suppose we will have to agree to disagree. In my opinion, if 5 clans are working together to achieve a common goal then they deserve to get ahead for their organization and effort. Why should 1 player be able to match the effort of 100? I do know a couple of crafter's who have been able to boost their crafting level above others, but they have done so by having teammates craft parts for them while they build the ships. In this way they are able spend their crafting hours in the most efficient way possible. Do you also want to see the trading of parts outlawed next? How is it you plan to balance crafter's inside of a clan getting ahead in this way?

I was down at the local pub last night having a drink. I couldn't believe that guy had the nerve to sell me a beer for more then he paid for it. I mean doesn't he know I am his fellow countrymen?

If there is only 1 shipwright selling ships in your nations capital then I am a monkeys uncle.

No it is not. Player sold goods have to compete with European trader prices now. The devs have put a hard cap on the price of goods. If nothing has changed then perhaps you could explain why hemp was going for $800+ last week in the capital and now it is going for $370?

This is absurd. The price for goods should be what a willing buyer will purchase them for from a willing seller. I realize large changes to the economy are coming, but why kill off all the game play that was available in the meantime?

As of today I am having problem's similar to those in this thread. I can't open any of the chat windows anymore, my friends list does not work, and I cannot use the mail system. Is a fix still on the way?

Im having the same problem.

I assume these changes will be accompanied with a full wipe, correct? I just wanted to make sure that I don't spend any more time continuing to test features that are planned on being removed.

Well I truly hope you all gather whatever data it is you need, and I hope that we can quickly get to a point where the in-game economy becomes a meaningful part of the game. Are the servers going to be wiped once we move on from this $40.00 test environment?

I am not sure I understand what the developers intent is with the current economy. I understand that they are wanting to move towards a more player driven economy in the future. If this part of the game is to change radically in the future then I do not suppose there is any sense in traders wasting their time on the mechanics in the meantime. I have played almost solely as a trader and time and time again I feel incredibly burnt by the economic changes made in the patches. I am going to save myself the frustration and maybe revisit this side of the game when there is clear intent on the direction the economy is going to take. Well, I will revisit it if I'm not already burnt out on the game, because with the changes being made so far I may be in a 1st rate by the end of the week. I was hoping that the economic side of this game was at least in a playable state so that I could enjoy that as more features get implemented. I assume the devs have decided to focus on other aspects of the game, and in the meantime they are just going to give each nation all the resources they will ever need. If this is not what they are doing then it is quite frankly maddening to watch them make changes to the economy and the methods being used will never achieve any sort of balance. Production needs to be tied to consumption. The resource needs of Denmark vs USA are far too great and wont be solved by making sweeping changes across the board. I understand Denmark or other small nations may have experienced resource shortages but you will never make changes to correct that imbalance in the way that is currently being done. When you increase production to address shortages of smaller nations you are simultaneously giving the larger nations an over abundance of resources. Eventually there wont be any reason to capture new ports other than bragging rights.

You seem to want to lecture me about the about the importance of people staying interested in the game and not leaving to go play a different game. I suppose you don't realize however that what I am arguing for is in favor of greater longevity and play-ability within the game. You want the game to be dumbed-down and easier and yet advocate that doing so will some how make people want to stick around longer. I for one could not disagree more. You also fail to grasp the entire purpose of the game. If resources are to be plentiful and be had anywhere at anytime then what is the point in crafting, having an economy, or having the ability to take more ports? What incentive is there for a Nation to go out and take more ports if they have everything they will ever need right next to their capital? If you would rather just be able to buy ships and fight with them whenever you want perhaps you should give World of Warships a try. You are illogical in your dispute of my example of XP. You say that XP is unlimited and that I can always catch up. You do realize that money is also "unlimited" by your own sense of the word, don't you? I can do missions all day long and make unlimited amounts of money just the same as you can do missions all day long and make unlimited amounts of XP.

Doc is right on the money. His points about the the economy are well given and well taken. It is the attitude's like the one you have put on display that will soon leave us with nothing but a shell of game to play. The true meaning to your post is that you feel you should be put on a level playing field with those traders who have spent the time and effort to position themselves where they are today. You can't compete because you haven't tried and rather than do so it's easier to come to the forums and complain. Why should you be able to compete with someone who has spent the time and effort to become successful? What other aspects of the game did you choose to explore? Did you perhaps choose to level up and go after XP? I have spent my time trading and thus am still sailing in a snow. I can't compete in a deep water battle with those who chose to spend their time leveling. Perhaps I should come to forum and whine that I don't have the XP for a big ship. I guess because I spent my time doing something else and getting ahead in another area I should demand that the devs catch me up in the areas I have fallen behind.