Can't stand "buy it now" mechanics

I mean, c'mon, instant starhips?

from GalCiv2 Forums
One thing I always dislike seeing is the ability to buy stuff outright. It seems a curse of games which have monetary systems. It doesn't seem to matter what I want to buy, big or small, if I have the cash someone mysteriously pops up with a matter transmorgrifier and "poof" - instant
11,956 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Valid points.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Because maximum production and sowing insurrection aren't always enough. Sometimes you need to give somebody a good intergalactic slap, and you don't want to wait for it. Sure, you want to do all those things, you mentioned, but no matter how much money you have, you're going to eventually max out those avenues, and the bad guys are still going to be coming after you.
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
As someone who loves the Korx and what they represent I have to say I like the idea that if the Korx have the money they can find someone to sell them anything within the week.

I can believe that a race with so many diplomatic and trade ties throughout all the galaxy could easily bend a few arms given a week to do so. I am inclined to agree that most races would not be able to do this however and perhaps this is best represented by the fact that the Korx can buy it now FAR more frequently than any other race!

If the korx couldn't use their money to quickly amass things they wouldn't be doing what they do best!
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, it is a game and does add another layer of decisions and choices to be made. I don't have a big problem with it. Civ and other TBS's all use it and I guess I am just used to the concept now.

Tony
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You're subcontracting your work out to the private megacorporations that abstractedly already handle all the business and economy done by the entire universe.

What, did you think work done by the government was efficient?!
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
because game mechanics don't always need completely rational real-world explanations
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
because game mechanics don't always need completely rational real-world explanations


LOL!

Tony
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
It's also the classic short term/long term trade off. You can pay through the nose and get it now, or wait several weeks and get it cheaper. Don't like wasting money? Fine, don't buy, but don't come crying when you suddenly need a fleet of frigates, and you need them right now!
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Consider the actual scale of construction in-game.

If you build a ship you're putting together every component and building it up, but really government forces are a tiny fraction of what's going on in space. The megacorporations are probably building many more private ships than there are government ships, and they've probably got any component that has been designed on hand (or a functional equivalent) already. They just need to build it onto a hull in one of their massive orbital shipyards (a process that doesn't take too long apparently), etc.

If you really have a problem with it breaking immersion, design clunkier looking "private" vessels, and buy those instead when you need to buy something.
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
I have no problem if I were buying something "off the market". Even then I would expect a little bit of time in delivery and setup. Yet we are not doing that in this game.

I am not saying GC2 is a bad game because of it, I just am expressing my dislike for a game mechanic that doesn't make any sense. If it takes 30 weeks to build something then I would expect to be able to hurry them up with wads of cash, not just have them plop it down and add water.