I completely agree - the exploration contracts are so far, in most of the offerings I have had - either just breaking even or losing $$ to do when you factor in fuel costs and repairs.
Some have offered cash + a part, material or overalls (which is greatly appreciated by a new player).
It would be nice to have some ‘reason’ to do these missions other than just a monetary one. Perhaps it helps define the space lanes better leading to a lowering of damage (since you know where the micrometeorites are) or you gain a bonus to flying to that planet in the future. Those perhaps are offerings when you have increased your influence in your faction.
But offerings to new players should be without cost or at a minimum include a warning that the $$ amount may be less than the cost of the fuel round trip. Players should be encouraged to go and figure that out since understanding the costs of running your ship (fuel/repairs) will be an important part of the game as they move forward.
I have to admit that I found that to be a rather confusing process - with the sliders for flying - and how much fuel is used etc… Would be nice if there was a better tutorial/in game process to help a new player figure out costs for using their ship.
I don’t do the exploration contracts mostly because my ships are usually busy with other stuff. As far a income/loss on faction contracts in general I look at is as the faction points have some value (though it is not known what that will be yet) so I factor that in as well. In regards to new players, I know when I started my ships were idle a lot of the time (without Pro I couldn’t do shipping contracts). I imagine if they fly slow enough new players can do the exploration contracts without losing money.
Seeing as how this is pulled up fresh i will reply as well,
you may know this all now though.
ZMAUB8E :: ship 41t to WB-675g - get 3,678 NCC :: I can’t evaluate this at the moment because both of my ships are in transit - but given recent FF prices I don’t think it would be profitable, but I will check and edit my post later.
You can check flight times from the BLU buffer
https://i.imgur.com/Ay18jTl.png
using the “Test” button
UYFVXEH :: FINISH A SHIP CONSTRUCTION PROJECT :: I am not even 2 months into the game - this is totally unrealistic for a noob.
Upgrades like changing to LHP will satisfy this contract, 108k for the parts(NC1 CXAsk) so would of been 17k profit and a hand full of points. While you may not have the cash all at once you can short yourself enough to get it done and profit.
Anyways Cheers!
Edited to add, Exploration Contracts suck not even worth the time to price them out. Let alone the Wear, time and fuel loss associated.
lol this aforementioned ship upgrade is getting cheaper by the day due to my aggressive pricing tactics, it’s probably one of the rare items which have experienced deflation this past year :D.
maybe add FF and SF as reward in the amount needed for a recommend flight time - and add that info as a text. that way you could “teach” new players as well to slow boat.
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