Trading

Trading is a method of earning credits. It involves buying items, traditionally commodities, at a low price and selling them for a high price. It is one of the core mechanisms by which any economy functions, and Star Sonata's economy relies heavily upon it.

Methods of Trading

There are four main ways to trade in Star Sonata. They are shown here:

In Person

To AI

The original method of trading involves buying a large amount of some commodity from one space station and selling it to another. A small, fast ship is used to scout out prospective trade routes, while a large hulled, slow ship is used for the actual trading.

To Players

Using the Trade chat channel or the PM system, players can arrange to trade items between one another. These trades are often completed in the sanctuary of Sol and typically involve the seller tossing the item overboard, receiving payment from the buyer, and the buyer scooping the item. Scamming is when one player fails to uphold his end of the bargain and receives credits for an item he didn't have, or receives an item for less credits than agreed or no credits at all. Being caught scamming can result in a permanent ban and the practice is heavily frowned upon by the community.

Through Slaves

Using slaves, a player can set up an automated trade route. It should be noted that these trade routes can quickly become unprofitable as the slave buys up large amounts of product from one station, thereby increasing the price, and sells a large amount to another station, thereby lowering the price. The slave will not stop buying and selling until it has run out of credits, so it is advisable to check up on these slaves regularly.

Through Shops

A popular method of trade is the use of shops. A shop is a player run base that sells items. A shop makes it possible to trade items for cash without the need to meet in person. They can also purchase items from players. Shops can be very profitable if run properly, and are convenient for any busy player as they don't require much attention.

Through Colonies

Colonies will trade with any bases attached to the planet that they are on. Trading with colonies can be difficult to do, but can bring in incredibly large sums of money if done properly.

History

In previous universes, Free Market was the trading hub of the universe. The largest teams would vie for control over the galaxy's most prime real estate and create elaborate displays using their bases and drones in order to attract customers. Free Market remains an important part of the Star Sonata economy, but many teams have moved onto other galaxies and into higher warp levels, preferring to have their own personal shopping galaxies instead.