More contracts please

Some “economy only” you-tube video has challenged me to start playing around with contracts. It’s not bad. But it doesn’t take long for the available contacts to get a bit stale. So here are some ideas for new contracts. From simple to needing new mechanics.

1. Real cargo missions. Currently, the game gives you a package that fits into your character inventory for delivery. You can do better. Make the packages larger or in larger quantities so that you need a ship to complete the ship. As the shipments get larger, at some point the player discovers actual crats that need to be loaded onto their ship, locked in to place, moved, and then off loaded. This will require a fork lift to move the crats.

2. Secure the ship/base from spiders. A large cruiser made an ill-advised stop over at the alien planet and tried to take onboard the alien spiders. They got out of course and killed the crew. (They were stupid scientists that didn’t need guns.) It’s up to you to clear the ship so that it can be prepared for salvage.

3. Retrieve the classified package. Pirates stole a tablet with high-tech blueprints the military wants back. Take on the base and get the tablet back.

4. Ore samples. Some university wants soil samples, or a mining concomitate would like samples of some ore they remotely detected. You will need a special hand drill and sample containers. Some contracts may have you process the samples using a lab bench and just send in the data.

5. Standing Contests. This faction only wants to higher the best. So, you will be given some task or rout to run that will be timed or otherwise measured. The faction with the best time gets access to lucrative contracts, as well as bragging rights. But other factions are free to compete and take the prize away. Ideal for muti-faction servers.

6. Diplomatic Currier. Two factions are exchanging liters to negotiate relations. Send to package to another faction location. But pirates will probably just kill you as long as you have the package onboard.

7. Long Term Research Contracts. A university would like you to make a research outpost or probe at some location. You will need to keep it running and bring back the research data on a regular bases to get paid.

8. Surveillance the Pirates. Build and deploy a spy probe and have it travel through Piret controlled territory. Then bring back the data for analysis. But be careful, pirates do not like to be spied upon.

9. Communication relays. To remote outposts need a leaser antenna connection made to improve communications. Build and maintain a facility at the intended location, and make it powerful enough to stay in contact with the two bases. You will have a standing contract to keep it operational. This means you will be paged when it goes off line. Other factions may outbid you for the contract.