Difference between revisions of "Oolite Trading"
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=== [[Commodities]] === | === [[Commodities]] === | ||
:'''Warning''': these average ₢ values can be changed by various .oxp's | :'''Warning''': these average ₢ values can be changed by various .oxp's | ||
+ | :More detail (''ie'' maximum & minimun prices) is given on the '''OoliteRS''' sheet which came with your original game download. | ||
''Produced by agricultural systems'' | ''Produced by agricultural systems'' | ||
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The Rich/Poor overlay adjusts the buying and selling prices differently depending on whether the world in question is ''Agricultural'' or ''Industrial''. '''Rich Industrial''' worlds provide the cheapest finished goods: they have the most efficient industrial plants and can undercut their competitors. Their industries and populations are also hungry (not to say greedy) and will pay top whack for raw materials. '''Poor Agricultural''' worlds have the lowest standards of living and produce the cheapest raw materials. They're also the most desperate for finished goods, and pay the highest prices for them. Therefore, the best trade run is between a Rich Industrial and a Poor Agricultural. The least promising is between a Poor Mostly Industrial and a Rich Mostly Agricultural (I think). Well, unless you start trying to ship Industrial goods to Industrial planets, obviously (although even here you might make a bit of money, if you're buying from a Rich Industrial and selling to a Poor Industrial). | The Rich/Poor overlay adjusts the buying and selling prices differently depending on whether the world in question is ''Agricultural'' or ''Industrial''. '''Rich Industrial''' worlds provide the cheapest finished goods: they have the most efficient industrial plants and can undercut their competitors. Their industries and populations are also hungry (not to say greedy) and will pay top whack for raw materials. '''Poor Agricultural''' worlds have the lowest standards of living and produce the cheapest raw materials. They're also the most desperate for finished goods, and pay the highest prices for them. Therefore, the best trade run is between a Rich Industrial and a Poor Agricultural. The least promising is between a Poor Mostly Industrial and a Rich Mostly Agricultural (I think). Well, unless you start trying to ship Industrial goods to Industrial planets, obviously (although even here you might make a bit of money, if you're buying from a Rich Industrial and selling to a Poor Industrial). | ||
The highest profit margins, on legitimate goods anyway, tend to be on Computers, Luxuries and Machinery on the Industrial side, and on Furs and Liquor & Wines on the Agricultural side. Running precious metals and gemstones is also worthwhile as a long-term investment. If you see them cheap anywhere (mid- to high teens per gram for gemstones, 36-38 ₢/kg for gold and anything under 70 ₢/kg for platinum) buy up what you can afford and hang onto it until you find a high selling price. It doesn't take up any cargo space as you keep it in a safe in the cabin. Agricultural planets usually sell precious stones and metals slightly cheaper than Industrial ones do, but a big money payoff can happen pretty much anywhere. | The highest profit margins, on legitimate goods anyway, tend to be on Computers, Luxuries and Machinery on the Industrial side, and on Furs and Liquor & Wines on the Agricultural side. Running precious metals and gemstones is also worthwhile as a long-term investment. If you see them cheap anywhere (mid- to high teens per gram for gemstones, 36-38 ₢/kg for gold and anything under 70 ₢/kg for platinum) buy up what you can afford and hang onto it until you find a high selling price. It doesn't take up any cargo space as you keep it in a safe in the cabin. Agricultural planets usually sell precious stones and metals slightly cheaper than Industrial ones do, but a big money payoff can happen pretty much anywhere. | ||
− | '''Government type''' and '''Tech Level''' don't make any difference to trade prices -- at least, not in the unmodified game. Some of the OXPs, such as Dictatorships and Your Ad here, add extra trading possibilities based on other factors, e.g. population size (which is linked to wealth), government type and so on. ''Government type does make a difference'' as to how much trouble you might run into on your way in, though, with Anarchies the worst, moving up through Feudal, Multi-Government, Dictatorship, Communist, Confederacy and Democracy, with Corporate State being the most peaceful (or cop-infested, depending on your point of view). [ | + | '''Government type''' and '''Tech Level''' don't make any difference to trade prices -- at least, not in the unmodified game. Some of the OXPs, such as Dictatorships and Your Ad here, add extra trading possibilities based on other factors, e.g. population size (which is linked to wealth), government type and so on. ''Government type does make a difference'' as to how much trouble you might run into on your way in, though, with Anarchies the worst, moving up through Feudal, Multi-Government, Dictatorship, Communist, Confederacy and Democracy, with Corporate State being the most peaceful (or cop-infested, depending on your point of view). [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=48929#p48929 Disembodied (2008)]. |
'' More from the Bulletin Boards:'' | '' More from the Bulletin Boards:'' | ||
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Rich Agriculturals do indeed seem rather useless from a trading point of view. They remind me of organic farms in that they can afford to sell their goods at elevated prices and aren't bothered about losing out to the lower end of the market. At the same time, they seem less prepared to pay over the odds for industrial goods. Conversely, Poor Agriculturals need all the money they can get, so will happily let their exports go at below-average prices, while they will pay handsomely for thinks like computers, luxuries and machinery. | Rich Agriculturals do indeed seem rather useless from a trading point of view. They remind me of organic farms in that they can afford to sell their goods at elevated prices and aren't bothered about losing out to the lower end of the market. At the same time, they seem less prepared to pay over the odds for industrial goods. Conversely, Poor Agriculturals need all the money they can get, so will happily let their exports go at below-average prices, while they will pay handsomely for thinks like computers, luxuries and machinery. | ||
− | Piracy is always an option as a way to make some quick cash, but it's probably best to wait until your ship is kitted out a bit more before going down that route.|Source=([ | + | Piracy is always an option as a way to make some quick cash, but it's probably best to wait until your ship is kitted out a bit more before going down that route.|Source=([https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=21700#p21700 Ramirez (2006)])}} |
− | ''Yet more from the Bulletin Boards'': [ | + | ''Yet more from the Bulletin Boards'': [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20029 Core game money earning] (2019) |
+ | |||
+ | ''And older'': [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5672 Rookie Help - Missions and Money] (2009) | ||
+ | |||
+ | [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3531 Profitability (Career Opportunities)] (2007) has some tips for trading with massive ships like Boas/Pythons. | ||
== "No Money" problems == | == "No Money" problems == | ||
There are a number of options. | There are a number of options. | ||
*Shooting asteroids at 1₢/asteroid until you have enough money to do something! | *Shooting asteroids at 1₢/asteroid until you have enough money to do something! | ||
− | *Sell or downgrade your laser/missiles | + | *Sell or downgrade your laser/missiles (but remember, your missiles can be used to stop other missiles!) |
− | *Sell your ship to buy a cheaper one (you will lose c. 2/3 of | + | *Sell your ship to buy a cheaper one (you will lose c. 2/3 of your current ship value). |
− | *See [ | + | *See [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15669 Financial Advice] (2013) for more advice |
+ | *And see [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3550 Help...] (2007-12) for advice including cheats | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Other Links === | ||
+ | *[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2924 Just not making enough cash] (2007): problems with downgrading your ship | ||
+ | *[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4251 Making cash] (2008): includes tips on saving money | ||
+ | |||
+ | == "Too much money" problems == | ||
+ | A nice problem to have! | ||
+ | |||
+ | *See [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4016 Too much money] (2007-8) for advice! | ||
+ | |||
+ | *[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=233310#p233310 Astrobe's 2015 suggestions] in a relevant thread (Bling!) | ||
+ | |||
+ | === OXPs === | ||
+ | *[[Diplomancy]] introduces taxation! | ||
+ | *[[Galactic Navy OXP]] allows purchase of Navy Bonds. | ||
+ | *[[Hermitage]] adds in buying your own Rock Hermit (and paying for upgrades). | ||
== Advanced Trading: Changing the Markets == | == Advanced Trading: Changing the Markets == | ||
− | {{QuoteText|Text=... Oolite is not "just a shooter" game. But it would be very interesting someday to see what it could be like if even half of the attention and effort that has gone into the combat related functions was expended on the economic and cultural possibilities|Source=([ | + | {{QuoteText|Text=... Oolite is not "just a shooter" game. But it would be very interesting someday to see what it could be like if even half of the attention and effort that has gone into the combat related functions was expended on the economic and cultural possibilities|Source=([https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=152334#p152334 Ganelon (2011)])}} |
Since Ganelon's comment in 2011, much has been done. While some OXPs such as [[BlOomberg Markets]], [[In_System_Trader|In-System trader]], [[Risk Based Economy OXP|Risk based economy]] & [[Risky Business]] make trading more realistic in various ways, several wonderful OXPs have been written which totally rejig aspects of the Trading system. They all make trading ''much'' more complicated! | Since Ganelon's comment in 2011, much has been done. While some OXPs such as [[BlOomberg Markets]], [[In_System_Trader|In-System trader]], [[Risk Based Economy OXP|Risk based economy]] & [[Risky Business]] make trading more realistic in various ways, several wonderful OXPs have been written which totally rejig aspects of the Trading system. They all make trading ''much'' more complicated! | ||
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*[[Economics]] | *[[Economics]] | ||
− | *[ | + | *[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4951 The role of player-traders] (2008) |
− | *[ | + | *[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4902 Trading Aids] (2008) |
− | *[ | + | *[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7584 The trading game] (2010): critique of Elite/Oolite trading system - the 3rd page has an alternative suggestion by Cmdr Trigg |
− | *[ | + | *[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11102 What ''is'' 1 TC?] Weight? Volume? Description of Cannister? (2011) |
+ | *[https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=79950#p79950 Would a combine harvester be sold in 18 separate Tonne Cannisters with a set of IKEA instructions?] (2009) | ||
*[[Trade (classic Elite)]] | *[[Trade (classic Elite)]] | ||
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* [[MarketObserver|Market Observer]] enhances the F8 market screen with vital data: average prices, % differences & what price you bought your goods at. | * [[MarketObserver|Market Observer]] enhances the F8 market screen with vital data: average prices, % differences & what price you bought your goods at. | ||
* [[Market Inquirer]] adds an interface screen (f4) that shows the distances in system and an interface screen that shows the markets (prices and quantities) of the main station and selected oxp stations closest to the player. | * [[Market Inquirer]] adds an interface screen (f4) that shows the distances in system and an interface screen that shows the markets (prices and quantities) of the main station and selected oxp stations closest to the player. | ||
+ | * [[Ship's Accountant OXP]] - alpha version - for devotees of double-entry book-keeping | ||
* [[Useful MFDs]] provides a ''free'' MFD with a list of your cargo and its current value in the system's main station. | * [[Useful MFDs]] provides a ''free'' MFD with a list of your cargo and its current value in the system's main station. | ||
− | * [ | + | * [https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?p=220113#p220113 Manifest MFD] lists your hold's contents. |
* Your Ship's Manual (comes with the [[Ship's Library OXP]]) has valuable information on trading and understanding the various economies | * Your Ship's Manual (comes with the [[Ship's Library OXP]]) has valuable information on trading and understanding the various economies | ||
Line 155: | Line 179: | ||
* [[Elite Trader OXZ]] rejig of Oolite, emphasising trade (see above). | * [[Elite Trader OXZ]] rejig of Oolite, emphasising trade (see above). | ||
* There are plenty of OXP ships that have increased cargo capacity. Check out the [[Largest_Ships_(Oolite)|Largest Ships]] list for some examples. | * There are plenty of OXP ships that have increased cargo capacity. Check out the [[Largest_Ships_(Oolite)|Largest Ships]] list for some examples. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Other stuff to help with or enhance trading === | ||
+ | * See the '''OoliteRS''' (Reference Sheets) and '''AdviceforNewCommanders''' which came as .pdfs in your original game download. ''Probably worth printing out!'' | ||
+ | * [https://github.com/jmcaffee/oolite_bot Oolite_bot] is a bot to run a trading route in Oolite. It is written in bash, using xwd, ImageMagick, and sha256sum. By J McAfee (GitHub, 2015) | ||
=== Tweaking the markets === | === Tweaking the markets === | ||
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=== Changing the markets === | === Changing the markets === | ||
* [[SW Economy]]: Realism! 3 new commodities, a trading triad (agricultural-mining-industrial) & factors such as atmosphere, TL & GDP are now relevant. | * [[SW Economy]]: Realism! 3 new commodities, a trading triad (agricultural-mining-industrial) & factors such as atmosphere, TL & GDP are now relevant. | ||
+ | * [[More Moolah OXZ]] - renames 10 commodities (''eg''. Luxuries becomes Cosmetics/Beauty) and adds Androids & Clones, Robots, Live Animals, Leather Goods and Medicines | ||
* [[New Cargoes]] - by [[User:Cim|Cim]] 2014. Introduces 100 sub-variants of the regular commodities. Profits only at one or two planets! | * [[New Cargoes]] - by [[User:Cim|Cim]] 2014. Introduces 100 sub-variants of the regular commodities. Profits only at one or two planets! | ||
* [[New Cargoes Trading Advice]] - transcript of the Advanced Trading course at [[Lave Academy]]. | * [[New Cargoes Trading Advice]] - transcript of the Advanced Trading course at [[Lave Academy]]. | ||
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* [[Smugglers]] - by [[User:Phkb|Phkb]] (2019): embargoes, black markets, bribes & smuggling compartments! | * [[Smugglers]] - by [[User:Phkb|Phkb]] (2019): embargoes, black markets, bribes & smuggling compartments! | ||
* [[Illegal Goods Tweak OXP]] - you are now interrogated on arrival at a GalCop station with slaves ''etc'' in your cargo | * [[Illegal Goods Tweak OXP]] - you are now interrogated on arrival at a GalCop station with slaves ''etc'' in your cargo | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Time === | ||
+ | * [https://app.box.com/s/9rz2f16e3ohulnke0mk42d9lbylyq791 Cargo_Handling.oxp]- by [[User:Phkb|Phkb]] (2018): Loading/unloading cargo now takes time | ||
=== Other advice pages === | === Other advice pages === |
Latest revision as of 09:28, 5 July 2024
Contents
Trading
This page focuses on the in-game skill of trading. For a wider overview of the issues, see Economics.
Trading is the primary way for the honest spacefarer to earn his, her, or its credits. Every ship sold within the GalCop has an integrated trading computer which hooks into the current systems' trading Market (F8) Screen.
Most space stations have made the process of trading very simple, in order to facilitate a fast turnover in goods and ships. Import and export tariffs - which are high on some worlds - are automatically added or deducted and this is reflected in the prices shown. The auto-trader system does not allow for more specific trading deals to be performed.
Once docked you are linked directly with the CorCom Trade System. At your request you can obtain a list of basic trade items available for purchase. Slaves are measured by the TC in galactic trading. This may seem a little strange, but it includes the cryogenic suspension system necessary to keep them alive during space travel. The slave trade, once almost eliminated by the Galactic government is now returning, despite the efforts of the Galactic Police Force to suppress it. |
(The Space Traders Flight Training Manual, p.38) |
Commodities
- Warning: these average ₢ values can be changed by various .oxp's
- More detail (ie maximum & minimun prices) is given on the OoliteRS sheet which came with your original game download.
Produced by agricultural systems
Food 4.4₢ Simple organic products, see below Textiles 6.4₢ Unprocessed fabrics Liquor/Wines 25.2₢ Exotic spirits from unearthy flora Furs 56.0₢ Includes leathers, Millennium Wompom Pelts
Produced by Rock Hermits (and probably also a mix of agricultural & industrial systems)
Minerals 8.0₢ Unrefined rock containing trace elements Radioactives 21.2₢ Ores and by-products
Produced by Rock Hermits and of minimal volume (and probably also a mix of agricultural & industrial systems)
Gold 37.2₢/kg Platinum 65.2₢/kg Gem-stones 16.4₢/g Includes jewelry
Produced by industrial systems
Luxuries 91.2₢ Perfumes, Spices, Coffee Computers 84.0₢ Intelligent machinery Machinery 56.4₢ Factory and farm equipment Alloys 32.8₢ Industrial Metals
Sellable when you scoop up the robotic Thargons
Alien Items 27.0₢ Artifacts, Weapons, etc
These items are defined as illegal by the Galactic Government, so trading in them is risky.
Slaves 8.0₢ Usually humanoid Narcotics 114.8₢ Tobacco, Arcturan Megaweed Firearms 70.4₢ Small-scale artillery, sidearms, etc
Shown on this list are the quantities of each item available and the current market price per unit. Most CorCom Trade Systems deal exclusively under blanket categories, including Food, Machinery, Minerals and Gemstones. Almost all are sold in TC (Tonne Cannister) quantities ie come in individual cannisters (easy for Dumping Cargo if needed). Kg & g goods (ie gems, gold & platinum) are kept in the on-board safe.
The prices shown at the time of trading represent an offer to you and will be guaranteed while you are at the station.
Using the F8 Trading screen
- F8/8: summons the screen. The prices shown (anywhere in the system) are those of the main orbital station only.
- Arrows - up & down: select one of the 17 commodities
- Arrows - left & Right: buy or sell the selected commodity
- Enter: sells your entire inventory of the current item or buys as much as your hold (and Credits) will allow
- F8/8 repeated - toggles between more detail on selected commodity & main market screen (eg if you have some in your hold: purchase price records for cargo hold contents)
- ?: toggles between 6 filters for the commodities
- all 17 commodities
- only goods carried in station or in stock in cargo hold
- goods carried in station only
- goods in stock in ship's cargo hold only
- legal goods: just the 14 legal commodities
- prohibited goods: just slaves, narcotics & firearms
- /: toggles between 6 sorted orders for the listed commodities
- default order: the original order from Classic Elite
- alphabetical order
- order of price
- order of quantity in stock in station
- order of quantity in ship's cargo hold
- order of unit mass: ie TC/kg/g
- This information is also on the OoliteRS (Reference Sheets) which came as a .pdf in your original game download. Probably worth printing out!
- autoSCAM modules will immediately transfer your transaction between your cargo bay and the station. Most ships must dock with a Coriolis space station or other similarly equipped outpost before buying or selling cargo.
- The only other way of transferring cargo in and out of your hold is in flight by either dumping it or by scooping it.
- For more detail see F8 page (commodity market) which explores the effects of various oxps on the Vanilla game
Advice to Traders
From the Bulletin Boards: Money-making tips: well, buy low and sell high, so much so obvious. Raw materials and general biological produce (food, textiles, ores, furs, etc.) come from Agricultural worlds; finished goods and technological stuff (Luxuries, Computers, Machinery etc) come from Industrial worlds. The Rich/Poor overlay adjusts the buying and selling prices differently depending on whether the world in question is Agricultural or Industrial. Rich Industrial worlds provide the cheapest finished goods: they have the most efficient industrial plants and can undercut their competitors. Their industries and populations are also hungry (not to say greedy) and will pay top whack for raw materials. Poor Agricultural worlds have the lowest standards of living and produce the cheapest raw materials. They're also the most desperate for finished goods, and pay the highest prices for them. Therefore, the best trade run is between a Rich Industrial and a Poor Agricultural. The least promising is between a Poor Mostly Industrial and a Rich Mostly Agricultural (I think). Well, unless you start trying to ship Industrial goods to Industrial planets, obviously (although even here you might make a bit of money, if you're buying from a Rich Industrial and selling to a Poor Industrial). The highest profit margins, on legitimate goods anyway, tend to be on Computers, Luxuries and Machinery on the Industrial side, and on Furs and Liquor & Wines on the Agricultural side. Running precious metals and gemstones is also worthwhile as a long-term investment. If you see them cheap anywhere (mid- to high teens per gram for gemstones, 36-38 ₢/kg for gold and anything under 70 ₢/kg for platinum) buy up what you can afford and hang onto it until you find a high selling price. It doesn't take up any cargo space as you keep it in a safe in the cabin. Agricultural planets usually sell precious stones and metals slightly cheaper than Industrial ones do, but a big money payoff can happen pretty much anywhere. Government type and Tech Level don't make any difference to trade prices -- at least, not in the unmodified game. Some of the OXPs, such as Dictatorships and Your Ad here, add extra trading possibilities based on other factors, e.g. population size (which is linked to wealth), government type and so on. Government type does make a difference as to how much trouble you might run into on your way in, though, with Anarchies the worst, moving up through Feudal, Multi-Government, Dictatorship, Communist, Confederacy and Democracy, with Corporate State being the most peaceful (or cop-infested, depending on your point of view). Disembodied (2008).
More from the Bulletin Boards:
Rich Agriculturals do indeed seem rather useless from a trading point of view. They remind me of organic farms in that they can afford to sell their goods at elevated prices and aren't bothered about losing out to the lower end of the market. At the same time, they seem less prepared to pay over the odds for industrial goods. Conversely, Poor Agriculturals need all the money they can get, so will happily let their exports go at below-average prices, while they will pay handsomely for thinks like computers, luxuries and machinery. Piracy is always an option as a way to make some quick cash, but it's probably best to wait until your ship is kitted out a bit more before going down that route. |
(Ramirez (2006)) |
Yet more from the Bulletin Boards: Core game money earning (2019) And older: Rookie Help - Missions and Money (2009) Profitability (Career Opportunities) (2007) has some tips for trading with massive ships like Boas/Pythons.
"No Money" problems
There are a number of options.
- Shooting asteroids at 1₢/asteroid until you have enough money to do something!
- Sell or downgrade your laser/missiles (but remember, your missiles can be used to stop other missiles!)
- Sell your ship to buy a cheaper one (you will lose c. 2/3 of your current ship value).
- See Financial Advice (2013) for more advice
- And see Help... (2007-12) for advice including cheats
Other Links
- Just not making enough cash (2007): problems with downgrading your ship
- Making cash (2008): includes tips on saving money
"Too much money" problems
A nice problem to have!
- See Too much money (2007-8) for advice!
- Astrobe's 2015 suggestions in a relevant thread (Bling!)
OXPs
- Diplomancy introduces taxation!
- Galactic Navy OXP allows purchase of Navy Bonds.
- Hermitage adds in buying your own Rock Hermit (and paying for upgrades).
Advanced Trading: Changing the Markets
... Oolite is not "just a shooter" game. But it would be very interesting someday to see what it could be like if even half of the attention and effort that has gone into the combat related functions was expended on the economic and cultural possibilities |
(Ganelon (2011)) |
Since Ganelon's comment in 2011, much has been done. While some OXPs such as BlOomberg Markets, In-System trader, Risk based economy & Risky Business make trading more realistic in various ways, several wonderful OXPs have been written which totally rejig aspects of the Trading system. They all make trading much more complicated!
- Demand Driven Economy: breaks up the fur-luxuries profit monopoly. Creates a reliable profitable demand for (eg) luxuries in Rich Agriculturals, computers in Average Agriculturals & alloys in Poor Agriculturals. His oxp includes tweaks for population, economy size & tech level.
- SW Economy: introduces a much needed shot of realism to the trading side of the game! 3 new commodities (water, oxygen & medicine), a trading triad (agricultural-mining-industrial) & factors such as atmosphere, TL & GDP are now relevant in determining what each planet produces. One needs to know much more about the planets one is trading with to make better profits. The old Xexedi-Laenin milk run is such no longer, as Laenin is too small to have the atmosphere needed to grow food, wines or furs and is now merely a mining station. This oxp has issues.
- New Cargoes: Introduces 100 sub-variants of the regular commodities: mud hockey sticks! zero-gravity hockey sticks! Excellent profits only at one or two planets - but get your hockey variety right! Uses the lore and culture to generate new markets. Subscribe to a trade magazine with tips! Go on the Advanced Trading course at your alma mater, the Lave Academy! This oxp has issues.
- Real-Life Economics - by Phasted (2012-4). Fluctuating markets which also react to your actions. Local solar systems also affect prices. This oxp has issues.
- Smugglers introduces trade embargoes on export & import of various commodities . This leads to wide fluctuations in price and a resultant rise in black markets, bribes & smuggling compartments - all of which this OXP introduces.
- Note that Smugglers currently conflicts with New Cargoes (2021).
- Ye Olde Hermit markets restores the old more profitable Rock Hermit markets from before Oolite v.1.82 (2015).
Economics OXP comparisons
Risk-based Economy | New Cargoes | Risky Business | SW Economy | Real-Life Economics | Demand Driven Economy | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Author | Cim | Cim | Phkb | Stranger | Phasted | Redspear |
Functionability | v.1.81+ | v.1.90+ | v.1.81+ | v.1.82+ | needs fixing | v.1.79+ |
Redefines systems economically | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Adds new commodities | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
Breaks away from Furs/Computers as most profitable trades | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Piracy (government type) affects prices | Yes | No | Yes | No? | No | No |
Hub connectedness affects prices | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Economy size affects prices/quantities | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Planet geography affects prices/quantities | No | Yes-ish | No | Yes | No | No |
Prices/Quantities vary dynamically | No | Yes | No | No | Price only | No |
Note: Phkb has updated New Cargoes (v.2.0) and it is finally compatible with Smugglers. New Cargoes dovetails with the information given to you on the F7 screen by the Famous Planets OXP. And there is also a tutorial for it (New Cargoes Trading Advice).
Note: Phkb has come up with a brand-new version of Risky Business which includes Risk-based Economy (you can choose to activate either or both using Library OXP). It also needs his auxiliary oxp - Market Script Interface - to operate.
This table also ignores some brilliant oxps which introduce a focus on just one aspect of economics.
Black Markets
This table currently excludes Phkb's Black Market & Smugglers OXPs. They too have a major affect on trade and economics, but are not directly comparable with the above, since they work on prohibiting trade (thus encouraging smuggling and a black market) which then impacts massively on pricing.
- Black Market - Adds black markets to most Rock Hermits and some other stations (contains much of what was in the original Smugglers OXP)
- Smugglers - Makes any commodity potentially illegal to import in various systems, and adds equipment and contracts for those interested in smuggling goods outside normal legal channels.
Geography
- BlOomberg Markets creates sudden changes in commodity prices which are geographic & time-limited in effect.
- Darkside Moonshine Distillery introduces distance from production as an affect on price. This is done with more subtlety than BlOomberg Markets' affects.
Dynamic trade
- In System Trader makes in-system trading more realistic, with changing prices and quantities depending on local traffic.
Loans
- Black Monk Monastery allows you to take out loans
- First Finance OXP creates the loan that allowed you to buy your spaceship
Prices
- Commodity Markets OXP replaces the single price of each commodity with a buy/sell spread (of 4-10%).
Quantities
- Random Market Quantities by Astrobe (2016) - reduces amounts on sale (best added with extra stations present)
Taxes
- Diplomancy OXP introduces taxes (and lots of other stuff too).
Other
- Market Script Interface - Phkb's auxiliary OXP to sort out conflicts between other market-script OXPs
- New Deal - an unfinished OXP with a new trading model for Oolite
Links
![](/img_auth.php/thumb/9/91/Anaconda_size_vs_750_cargo_cannisters.png/320px-Anaconda_size_vs_750_cargo_cannisters.png)
- The role of player-traders (2008)
- Trading Aids (2008)
- The trading game (2010): critique of Elite/Oolite trading system - the 3rd page has an alternative suggestion by Cmdr Trigg
- What is 1 TC? Weight? Volume? Description of Cannister? (2011)
- Would a combine harvester be sold in 18 separate Tonne Cannisters with a set of IKEA instructions? (2009)
OXP's to help with or enhance trading
Information
- XenonUI: vital reminders of what the numerous keyboard options are for the F8 market GUI screen (as well as the F5/F6/F7 screens)
- Market Observer enhances the F8 market screen with vital data: average prices, % differences & what price you bought your goods at.
- Market Inquirer adds an interface screen (f4) that shows the distances in system and an interface screen that shows the markets (prices and quantities) of the main station and selected oxp stations closest to the player.
- Ship's Accountant OXP - alpha version - for devotees of double-entry book-keeping
- Useful MFDs provides a free MFD with a list of your cargo and its current value in the system's main station.
- Manifest MFD lists your hold's contents.
- Your Ship's Manual (comes with the Ship's Library OXP) has valuable information on trading and understanding the various economies
- GalCop Galactic Registry gives access to chart-wide system data, allowing quick analysis of routes and regions, which can aid in plotting trade routes.
- The Trader's Almanach, a supplement for your Ship's Library
- Display Current Course adds your currently plotted course to any mission map screen, so you can tell whether the destination for the new mission is close to where you are currently heading.
Possibilities
- Bank of the Black Monks for loans at the outset of the game!
- Elite Trader OXZ rejig of Oolite, emphasising trade (see above).
- There are plenty of OXP ships that have increased cargo capacity. Check out the Largest Ships list for some examples.
Other stuff to help with or enhance trading
- See the OoliteRS (Reference Sheets) and AdviceforNewCommanders which came as .pdfs in your original game download. Probably worth printing out!
- Oolite_bot is a bot to run a trading route in Oolite. It is written in bash, using xwd, ImageMagick, and sha256sum. By J McAfee (GitHub, 2015)
Tweaking the markets
- BlOomberg Markets allows the markets to react to news events (needs GNN for the news events)
- In-System trader introduces a "living market" inside solar systems with rewards and risks for in-system trading.
- Risk based economy - by Cim. Makes trade prices depend on government as well as economy (1.77).
- Risky business - by Phkb. As above. See linked BB discussion for comparison with Cim's Risk based economy
Changing the markets
- SW Economy: Realism! 3 new commodities, a trading triad (agricultural-mining-industrial) & factors such as atmosphere, TL & GDP are now relevant.
- More Moolah OXZ - renames 10 commodities (eg. Luxuries becomes Cosmetics/Beauty) and adds Androids & Clones, Robots, Live Animals, Leather Goods and Medicines
- New Cargoes - by Cim 2014. Introduces 100 sub-variants of the regular commodities. Profits only at one or two planets!
- New Cargoes Trading Advice - transcript of the Advanced Trading course at Lave Academy.
- Real-Life Economics: Realism! Markets that change as you look at them - and react to your trades. More realistic implementation of market effects. Slightly buggy. By Phasted (2014).
The Law
- Smugglers - by Phkb (2019): embargoes, black markets, bribes & smuggling compartments!
- Illegal Goods Tweak OXP - you are now interrogated on arrival at a GalCop station with slaves etc in your cargo
Time
- Cargo_Handling.oxp- by Phkb (2018): Loading/unloading cargo now takes time
Other advice pages
- How do I ... dock / succeed in trading / win a fight / configure my controller/joystick etc.
- See also the OoliteRS (Reference Sheets) and AdviceforNewCommanders which came as .pdfs in your original game download. Probably worth printing out!