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Aug-18-2004 14:36

Somebody suggested adding a swap-meet where players could sell equipment to each other, rather than just to the store.

This is an idea I've had before, but in thinking about it, I've decided that the only way it would really work is to make it so equipment wears out over time. Otherwise, everybody would quickly end up with the best equipment in the game.

The way it could work would be that a given piece of equipment would last through a certain number of cases, or uses (skill checks). Some equipment could be more durable than others. You could then sell used equipment, but the buyer would only get the remaining number of uses before it fell apart.

This would also make money more useful to the high level detectives for whom it has become fairly irrelevant.

Let me know if you are interested in the game moving in the direction of a more realistic economy or not.

Aug-18-2004 14:49

yes - I like that - but hope it would give you some warning - and not just blow out like a bad tire during a key favor. This might be harder on folks who don't join agencies though.

Aug-18-2004 14:53

It would be harder on those not in agencies, to be sure. That would be my only concern, I think.

Aug-18-2004 14:56

Sounds good, although I have to add that this world of non-decay we live in today is quite convenient. As you say however, the idea of actually doing something with all that money is a good one.
Maybe you could even add a special 'members only auction house' with a huge entrance fee, where high ranking members can outbid eachother for the best, and most durable, equipment using those unused skillpoints.

Maybe it's also a good idea to keep the some equipment that does not decay. For instance +1 equipment for every skillgroup. Then beginning detectives wouldn't have to worry about AND paying Shady huge amounts of cash AND keeping themselves moderatly equipped at the same time.

Aug-18-2004 14:59

About the warning Bigdoc spoke about. I think it would be great if for instance a seal skin coat would work as a +4 for a number of cases then as a +3 and eventually stop at +1. Then you also wouldn't need to keep those non-degradables I just spoke about.

Aug-18-2004 15:39

I try my best to stay out of the message boards (it's difficult, though), but I have to say this: Am I the only one who think this is a great game as is? I find it very well thought out and mentally stimulating. There can be too much of a good thing. I've always felt 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it!'...PLEASE!

Aug-18-2004 18:15

In the "locker sorting" thread in Sleuth Talk I joked about good thing there's no stink bombs like in school, then thought what would happen if we could stink another agency's locker out?

Seeing this thread, maybe that's not such a bad idea. It would be competitive, sure, but it should cost the buying agency about $100,000 for a 50% chance that it's successful. If it is, the victim agency wouldn't be able to use the equipment that was stored at the time for two days while it's aired out. Or maybe in terms of this thread, the stink bomb would just decay the equipment by x uses.

Not sure that everyone would like the competition, especially the new agencies, but then again why would an established agency want to stink bomb a new one anyway? So maybe it would work out.

Aug-18-2004 18:28

Will better equipment be available for sale then?

Right now some of the best equipment is from medium level favor cases, which are out of reach from advanced players.

Aug-18-2004 19:21

While I agree with Chronestrian in this case, that the game is great as is, and I think alot of moving around with it isn't necessary; I'll reverse stance on this and say that I like the idea. It makes the game a heck of a lot harder. Giving money a worth is nice, and I also like the idea of an auction house you could buy into. (did you expect this game to become your full time job Ben? ;) ) While I like the way my character is, I think it would be fun to be forced to change him around and make something new and see how different scenarios worked. Maybe there could be special items doled out at different times as well.

Aug-18-2004 19:24

that's exactly what i was thinking. i have a coat that i wear allll the time that i can't even get again if it were to go missing or decay away. i like the items not decaying, just becoming tough to get.

Aug-18-2004 19:26

I don't like the idea, only because I never swap out my equipment. I have it at the levels that I like. With decaying equipment, my levels are always going to be off. I would have something good for +4 and something else at +1. Besides the fact that I agree with Chronestrian on this. I like things the way they are