Why do trading alliances not work?

[Hermes]

Why do trading alliances not work?
This has been tried by a few of us that would like to see it happen, but it never works out. Do anyone think they know the best way to go about making this work. I had a few ideas and the type of players that should be in it for it to work, but I would like to know what everyone else thinks or should there even be one at all. So tell me what you think.

[Drought]

Its a war game where a major part of a successful career evolves around taking resources from others .... do the math

Also, what generally necks less sophisticated alliances, by all means call them smaller or lower powered. The actions of one often seals the fate of the rest (or the alliance for that matter). This very often results into these type of alliances being massed because one member went ape **Filtered** against the wrong person/alliance. And it either takes very strong power accounts or very good diplomats to prevent total devastation.

Leading an alliance is not as simple as merely setting one up with a good idea behind it. It takes dedicated members willing to follow set rules which could lead to success.

[Hermes]

so what your saying is, it takes time and teaming up with one of the more powerfull allainces?

[Angnoch]

it is not just a war game, it is first and foremost a RPG although that has fallen to the way side more and more each passing year. In general a strictly trading alliance does not work as you could never continually get enough resources to keep yourselves in the black so to speak it is easy enough for one or two guys in an entire alliance to trade and make a good profit at it, but that takes time and specifically the ability to gather said resources at cheaper than market prices which is in itself a severe task.

[Hermes]

So in order for a good trading alliance to even be, the game itself would have to make some changes, in other words being a trader would have to be worth it.

[Drought]

so what your saying is, it takes time and teaming up with one of the more powerful alliances?

Pretty much, yeah. But that depends on your goals.
But I think these things have been tried too, not many or none around really.
I think good traders will operate solo a lot, and likely be in strong alliance too.

[Borek]

There are some obstacles to being a trading alliance, but there's still no reason that it can't work.

Few keys issues are what you do regarding trades with members of alliances at war, it is all to easy to get sucked into someone elses fight by trading with their enemies. You can certainly be vocal about remaining neutral and trading with whoever makes you offers, but to do that then you are going to need to be more than just a trading alliance, you will need some military might to deter people from just picking on you and trying to bully you out of some potential trades.

So in short yes it can work, but you need to be mindful of the game politics and prepared to fight back if people start trying to push you around, otherwise you'll just be seen as an easy target.

But lets be honest this really applies to all types of alliance lol

[MEZZANINE]

Dedicated trading alliance ?

If these dont work I would guess its to do with sheer boredom, IMO people only trade for 2 reasons

1) To pay for upgrades to their own account, building or saving to buy an account to fight with

2) To make $$$s, basically people who gave up playing and are only here for pocket money


Trading is a means to an end, not an enjoyable way of playing in itself

[Hermes]

Dedicated trading alliance ?

If these dont work I would guess its to do with sheer boredom, IMO people only trade for 2 reasons

1) To pay for upgrades to their own account, building or saving to buy an account to fight with

2) To make $$$s, basically people who gave up playing and are only here for pocket money


Trading is a means to an end, not an enjoyable way of playing in itself

I dont think your right about all of this, i enjoyed it, i did it when i was not very acctive to keep up with my account and because i was bored with the war part of the game. i find it a good way to stay acctive when RL is getting in the way.

i guess i would like to see this game brach out, so there can be more then just the war type players.

[Sadow]

Another thing to consider is where are the trades. Which alliance is most likely to need the resources and can a deal be made for lower prices. Now, if that alliance is in war, and the opponent finds out you're trading with that alliance (discount or not) they will most likely go after that alliance as well to starve the alliance resources.

[Hermes]

i would like to try one, but i dont even know where to begain lol

[xDaku]

To make it work you need a good benefit for traders to be together in the first place. What extra bonus would a trading alliance provide? Possibly more clientele, but most good traders already have that. It could work for new traders, but once they get a good clientele of their own going they have no benefit.

Finding enough cheap sellers to satisfy a whole alliance and then have them all satisfied by a better profit margin than they get on their own is the key, and it's tough.

[Hermes]

hmm maybe i should talk to the dde to see if they want to make one. lol

[odji nsu]

lol i was reading this wrong. i thought he was talking about training alliance, lol,

I hardly play at all i log in bank and train. And slowly fall farther and farther behind. Every thing in this game takes either a lot of work or a lot of money. to stay on top. I wish we had an in game auction house like another game i am currently playing. It would make trading so much easier. I am to tired to figure out how to post a screen shot. but it is rather helpful to those trying to play the trader role. And also gives the players wanting to buy resources a faster ability to do so.
There is 2 main types , a set price and a auction with a buy out price..a player simple sets up a auction just like you would a broker. then the buyer goes to auction house searches for the deal he wants and buys. I am sure you get the idea.

Hermes If you want to make a trading alliance give it a go. Its always worth a try. Best way i have ever found at doing something is to just get on with it and do it.. Good luck hope it turns out how you want.

[Hermes]

the only way i would start it is if i had at least 2 other traders that wanted to.