JoshParnell wrote:As for cargo, this sounds excellent. External cargo is already implemented as objects (I call them 'pods'). Pods could already use rails just like any other object! I will be sure to play with this idea after the update is out.
It makes a lot of sense to be able to establish 'cargo rails' between, for example, a refinery and a production station. Automated import/export without traders becomes an awesome tool (but will obviously be costly!) Now I'm even thinking about the possibility of establishing a 'drop-off-point' (DoP) where a temporary rail is set up between a mining zone and a nearby station, to allow miners to easily extract, package up, and eject pods of ore onto the rail to be automatically stored at the station (perhaps the station charges a nominal fee for DoP usage?)
What if a "decoupled" cargo pod counts as a ship with very low maneuverability?
It could fly into the rail and slowly head towards the destination.
It would be cheap! No actual transport ship needed! Teladi smellsss profitssss!
It would also be unsafe as hell with your cargo just floating around "unattended", ready for the taking.
But that's
your problem if you do so.
With external cargo pods being "ships" it would also simplify cargo transfer because you only tell the pod to undock and fly to the target ship or station.
Your Galaxy Class Mommaship is bigger than the entire station you're trading with? No problem whatsoever. Don't dock at all.
I think that would be a bigger simplification because...
ships flying from A to B already works, no? =)
Even better: You could
watch the unloading process of a large freighter taking place. (And mess with it.)
If you can show something is happening, it's real. Much more so than a magic beam. =)
There is no "I" in Tea. That would be gross
.