Player-to-Player Trade
P2P trade has been suggested many times. It is a pretty good idea, in my opinion, as long as it is implemented right. Considering the amount of people having suggested it, it sure is a popular idea that people want.
First of all, the suggestion itself. Player to Player trade has been suggested in a few ways, in way of an aliance bank or another market. It basicly comes downn to one thing. We want a way to trade with each other outside the public market. Now to the arguments against this.
The main problem that people point out with this is that it would be too easy to abuse. I havn't actually seen many specifics about this abuse. I'll argue against this from what I understand of it. If you have another way that player to player trade could be abused, please post it here.
From what I have read, the main way people say it could be abused is that new accounts can use their begginer coins to buy treasures, and pass these treasures to others.
Considering people do have power to make multiple accounts, this is a problem. But it is a problem that already exists. It can already be done using the public market, it's just harder. So, instead of using the already existant problem as an excuse for not putting in p2p trade, fix it. Then either way, the game is better off.
A good way to fix this is to make it so anything bought with begginer coins cannot be sold on the market, or through p2p trade. That is one idea. If it doesn't work out, I am sure another can be figured out.
The only other complaint I can remember is the other way around. Experienced players giving things to newer ones. Again, this can already happen, it's just harder, but I won't get into that. I don't actually see this as a problem, since this isnt a single player game, it's an mmo, and multiplayer interaction is important, as much in helping each other as attacking each other. However, if it really is considered a big problem, limits can be put on trading, as I will get too in a bit.
There are a few ways I can see Player-to-Player trade working. Here they are.
1) Sending resources and treasures to others. This is the simple ability to send things to other players, without limits. It would of course cost people.
The above is my opinion, but I understand why people would disagree.
2) Trade with limits. Limits would ensure that people trade things of "equal value". This is also another solution to abuse.
2.1) Trade for value in gold. You have to buy things for a certain amount of gold(At minimum). Could be decent but I prefer:
2.2) Trade for resources/treasures. This could be harder to implement but would be nicer. Maybe you could only trade treasures for gold, but be able to trade one type of resources for another. Perhaps at a different rate depending on the resources: for example woodto crop might be at 1:2 or something.
3) Aliance bank. This could go with or be instead of other suggestions. The alliance bank would be a place where members would deposit and withdraw resources and/or treasures. Needs to be put in more detail but thought I'd mention it anyway.
Finally, another problem I just thought of. There would then need to be some incentive to use the public market. Best way is to add some further limits to p2p trade:
1.Make it take more people to transfer resources/treasures by p2p trade then market.
2.Make it take time to transfer resources when trading by p2p trade
Done. I have a couple other suggestions I'll be posting soon-ish too.