The Black Market

[Single Malt]

Whilst going through a few pages that I dont normally look at, I noticed that there were limits on how many times one person can purchase things like FSS and Duals, but there is no limit on how many times someone can purchase resources from the Black Market.

Would it not make sense to limit this aswel to 3 or 5 purchases per week, or limit the amount able to be spent?

[Jixxi]

not when its lining admins pockets

[Jixxi]

soz for the double post but been tinking over this. most of the $$ spendes buy from other players where a tril cost 55-45 cents where as the black market cost a dollar changing the rules on the black market trading would have little effect on the $$ spenders

[Norbe]

The poll doesn't work for me; in principle it is a good idea to help balance the game. The money spenders would probably object, but then you have to remember that the majority of resources are bought and sold by players rather. Admin sells the most resources during wars when people don't have luxury of waiting and shopping around, they need resources (and temporary PPTs) in the middle of fights. And that is an something that can't be gained using non-$ methods.

So it would even the playing feel a lot during wars. But it would also lower the amount of money that admin earns from the game so I doubt it will happen.

~Norbe~

[Sarevok]

Actually, money spenders would LOVE any of these changes.

Currently, the limit is $200/month. - At least for the account upgrades part, so maybe not for all BM trades.

Yes - Upto 3 trades per week (at $50/trade means $150/week, or $600/month)
Yes - Upto 5 trades per Week (at $50/trade means $250/week, or $1000/month)
Yes - Spend upto $50 per week (limit of $200/month, same as it is now)
Yes - Spend upto $100 per week (limit of $400/month, 2x as much as now.

[Jixxi]

Actually, money spenders would LOVE any of these changes.

Currently, the limit is $200/month.

Yes - Upto 3 trades per week (at $50/trade means $150/week, or $600/month)
Yes - Upto 5 trades per Week (at $50/trade means $250/week, or $1000/month)
Yes - Spend upto $50 per week (limit of $200/month, same as it is now)
Yes - Spend upto $100 per week (limit of $400/month, 2x as much as now.

learn something new everyday i did'nt know there was a limit

[Tekki]

I -thought- that $200 limit was for USS, not for Black Market.

[Sarevok]

Update:

Tekki believes there's no BM trade limit, but USS limits.

So take my post as the possible maximum spends for the options

[Jixxi]

I -thought- that $200 limit was for USS, not for Black Market.

i went and had a look and the only monthly limit i seen was for duals

[Single Malt]

The limits, which I am aware of, are as follows

USS - "There is a limit, though, of upgrading your account to a maximum of 2 times per calendar week for bonuses that include the protected planet treaty applications (PPT).
You have used X PPT bonuses this week."

BM - Duals - "max 2 dual planets per month can be acquired by your realm FROM ANY SOURCE (attack or purchase)"

BM - Resources - "You can buy any amount of one resource, or combination of resources, but the total amount of USD must be 10,20,30,40 or 50"

Whilst I am not totally against $$ being spent on the game (I see it as speeding up time), I do think that it is causing problems within the game when it comes to wars. If there is an endless supply of resources for someone willing to pay $$, then how can someone who can not afford to spend $$ on the game compete during a war? By limiting the BM Resources, then it is bringing the playing field to a more level plane. Yes, a $$ spender can trade with other players, but then they are limited to the amount they can buy due to the seller needing to produce what they sell.

I understand that admin wants to make as much money as posible from this, but leaving things as it is, causing the game to die as the non $$ spenders can not compete with the $$ spenders. By putting a limit in, there will the advantage of spending $$, but it will not be as heavy, therefore the game will not die as quickly. The longer this game lasts, the more money admin will get.

So much for a quick response.

[Tekki]

Well so far a landslide for the limit option.

If you are having trouble voting, try changing your forum skin.

[Juliette]

The 'limit'-option is logically the choice of preference of the players who do not spend cash on the game's Black Market.
That would be the majority given age/credit card legitimacy; also it would be a very small group. The real cash spenders are not likely to use the Black Market due to the cheaper supply on the P2P Market. The group that does use the Black Market either:
- does not know of the forums (and thus does not know of the P2P Market) - and as a consequence won't vote.
- does not trust the P2P Market and will logically award limited trust to Admin's Black Market, spending limited.
- ...
(Various other options remain, of course.)

Concluding: The poll is flawed. (As has been said before.)

[Tekki]

Actually that is incorrect Charisma.

Plenty of people use the black market ingame. Maybe not for UU or naq but for the benefit of the 1 hour PPT that comes with buying resources.

However though in wars, the Black market is used sometimes quite a lot for naq or UU because it’s instantaneous. You don’t have to go find someone who is selling. Yes, it’s more expensive, but the UU/NAQ/AT’s arrive immediately, there is no risk of scamming and you get a PPT too boot.

So I think you underestimate the extent of Black Market useage though no one is denying that the P2P market is cheaper.

[Lore]

I always thought AT were the biggest seller on the BM?

[Sarevok]

Also, the At rate on the BM is cheaper then say buying the naq, then buying the AT. With the reduced supply, it's far better to buy them off the BM. And as Tekki said, for $50 you can get almost 7.5 hours of protection with the right timing of the purchases. Along with 50k AT to devastate your enemy with when the PPTs are over

-Edit-
Agreed Lore, that was always my understanding. Buy 10k AT, have dinner for an hour, come back and mash some accounts