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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-24-2004 07:05

maybe it would be a good idea just to have the swap meet thing within one agency?

Aug-24-2004 13:03

Hmmm...really like game the way it is, though haven't gotten to hardest level yet. Think there are possibilities for good tweaking as well as bad. Initial reaction to decaying equipment not positive, but might maybe decay is more realistic for some items than for others? I would think shoe leather would go first :) but forensic cameras would last indefinitely, for example. And maybe the pillbox hat wouldn't be so charming if it "went out of style..." I think exploring ideas is good, so the game can evolve and stay interesting to long-termers.

Aug-24-2004 13:05

Also maybe one would need to buy film for the camera for it to be useful, and the snub-nosed revolver would be less threatening if one forgot to buy ammo...etc.

Aug-24-2004 13:30

What Dr. Falco suggested could actually be a good idea, I think. Then we'd have to buy packs of film or bullets and what have you to make items work. That way the equipment as such wouldn't decay in terms of the points it's worth, but would only work when "activated" and then only a certain number of times before having to be "reloaded". Like this the money we earn could also come into play a bit more than it is.

Aug-24-2004 13:41

that is a great idea Dr.Falco.

Aug-24-2004 14:23

We could also buy booze from the bartender to get people sloshed so they would talk :) (But sometimes they would be teetotalers or drink too much too fast and get silly or pass out?) Could we trust the testimony of a wino?

Aug-26-2004 17:19

OK, it sounds lik Decaying Gear wouldn't be too popular. I'll drop it for now, but reserve the right to revisit it in the future.

Aug-26-2004 18:59

Ben, don't you get that right whether you reserve it or not?

And can we talk about apostrophes now?

:)

Aug-27-2004 09:21

Don't worry about haza. I know him IRL and yes, he is crazy but is also harmless. (i think...i hope)

Aug-27-2004 10:37

I'm not much for the idea either, sorry admin.