I just had an idea for how the "used ship lot" could work (Sorry for going back on topic and all... lol)

First off, this would have to be an option to be turned on in TEdit or maybe even on Big Bang (Like Gold Aliens)... this might end up taking up available ships in the database... Actually... it might not... the more I think about it.

You go to the ship yards... and select to browse the Used ships. A few used ships are dynamically created (That way they aren't taking up room in the DB). Because they are used... they'll have a few dents and dings in them... for example the max holds/fighters etc... might only be 75%-90% of normal. The Combat Stats would remain the same. (So if it was 1.4 Off/Def it still is), but maybe the sensor array is a little shaky so things like planet/sector scanners don't *always* work (1-5% fail rate). Also... lets say... 50% chance the vehicle has no Escape Pod, but one can be added to it (*IF* that type of ship allows an escape pod) and it would be for a fee.

The cost of these ships? Well... I'm not sure... 75-80% of normal??? less maybe? (EDIT: Actually... What if... for example: its a used Colonial Transport with 197 holds already on it and it can have a max of 210? The price could THEN be higher than a new CT.. since its "Tricked out???" with more holds than you get with a stock new CT? Just a thought).

Now... how would the game know a new from a used? The Dynamic made ships... when purchased... get added to the ship DB... with a manufactures name that is *Specific* to the Used Ship market... Kind of like the "Bob's Used Auto's" stickers you see on used cars these days. This would keep the programming a little simpler... because when buying hardware for the ship... it would be easy for the game engine to re-calculate the max of *that* ship by simply looking at the manufacturer label, if its a used ship, re-adjust how many fighters/holds that user can buy while they are in it. (Or transferring from a planet, sector etc...)

Also... I should add.. that because this is a used ship... the name would be generated and not be something the player would be able to choose, but the player can either keep it, or pay to have it changed (the name changing is already allowed in the game... so no extra work there)... think of this as 'just something you do when buying a used vehicle' like changing the oil, and wiper blades (2 things I *ALWAYS* do as soon as I bring a brand 'new' used vehicle home. I don't care what the dealership promised was done to the vehicle... they get changed, so I *know* it was done, and when it was done.)

Now... what would the benefit be to this? Maybe used ISS's could be sold to red or non-commissioned blues (Same combat stats... not a bad thing... just a little light on fighters and holds)

A corporation of players all running around in corporate flagships (The Shiny new one is the "bosses" of course, while all the peon's run around in rust buckets... a bit of art imitating life there...).

A new item in the hardware emporium: a Bumper Sticker that reads: At least its not a pod".

ANOTHER EDIT TO THIS POST: Maybe the couplings for the holds aren't what they used to be... so a 0.001% chance of a hold (or two, or ten) "falling off" (One chance in every 1000 moves... maybe *that's* even too high.)

Anyway... that's my thought of the moment... have fun with it.

Yes, I know I'm a little late on a response =-P However, I did notice something that will ultimately change the outcome of this game. As I do know the expensive ships make the game funner becuase oyu have to wait a little longer to get the good ones. HOWEVER, go around ferrengal and start capping the ships that are 5-6k figs and resale for 8-10 million. Unfortunately this blip will turn this game into a hunting game. Unless everyone plays by a code of conduct. <VEG>

Oh yeah also one more thing i don't know if you can get ahold of whoever the Sysop is but he forgot to turn on death delay or whatever it is. you can self destruct any amount of times

I reminded him (told him before but it must have floated away into the ether)