Ah yes, that’s what they were called. If it’s a solo game, then yeah…I’d say if the society is pre-alchemy then use whatever is the key material for the key technology, or for shipbuilding. Can’t really do barter if it’s single-player without some good AI.
Thanks Ansury.
I think only one of those conditions have to be uniquely met for a commodity to become money. That is, even if all the other items in the game meet all the other requirements, if there is only one item that meets them all then that item will be chosen as money automatically. In MMOs like World of Warcraft, the economy system really makes or breaks the game. These games are extremely materialistic; it’s all about the ITEMS.
I think I’ve decided on a compromise. All trades with AIs (whether random commodities or ships, outfits, etc.) will be in terms of fuel, but a nice barter system will be in place for player-to-player transactions… so, while fuel is the “default” currency, it’s by no means the only one if you’re playing with others.
Water? O2(oxygen)? They fit the criteria for money pretty well in space.
Energy is the ultimate scare resource. By definition, life cannot exist without energy. So I think it makes sense to use a ubiquitous source of energy as money. Just as there is a Goldilocks zone for life, I think there is a Goldilocks zone for money. It needs to be scarce enough to be valuable, but common enough to lubricate exchange.
EVE has a LOT of potential, but it wastes it. Mining is the most attractive activity to me, but it is SOOO boring. How about a little challenge, a mini game, something? Maybe it is fun in null space or low sec, but I can never find a good corp to play with. And then the only fun aspect is trying to not get blown up.