3 replies to this topic

[RedDragon]

Hey all,

recently I thought about the fact that the prices in BT are "fixed", no matter what era you play in. That means an Atlas will cost around 10 million C-Bills whether you buy it (or let's say manufacture it, since buying is relative in BT lore) in the year 2755, i.e. when it became available and before the first Succession War (thus in a time of prosperity and high technology) or in the year 3025, when most of its parts are Lostech, or after 3067, when its technology is already outdated. I am not even talking about inflation etc., just about the fact that no matter what the current technology level is, equipment always costs the same throughout the time line. That becomes especially evident when you look at the Clans. The "prices" for Clan equipment stay the same even after the technology gets shared and absorbed by the IS. Generally, new equipment, as let's say the Gauss Rifle after 3040, doesn't get cheaper the more widespread it is produced. In 3040, it's brand new, only few factories manufacture it and only selected units field it. In 3067 (or even later on), it is a common weapon, yet it always costs the same.

Long story short: I wonder if there is any source material dealing with this phenomenon, because I don't remember it being mentioned in any of the source books I own or have read. There are rules, tables, lists for everything in BT, so I can't imagine they haven't thought of it. Yes, it's a far fetched problem and it's logical to keep it abstract not to confuse the players with dozens of different value-tables. But there are so many optional rules for stuff like this, it would surprise me if they hadn't addressed this yet.
Any help appreciated!

[Alaskan Nobody]

Willing to bet that was something that just got handwaved, but I am interested in finding out if there is an official explanation as well.

[Spokes]

While the amount of C-bills something costs is fixed, the value of the C-bill itself floats as you move along the time line.

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/C-bill

[9erRed]

Greetings all,

Reference the timeline and prices;

Bryan stated that availability of chassis and components would be effected by the Community Warfare. And wither you could even find an item on the "store" or market. There is additionally a "off the grid" black Market being developed for items that normally can not be purchased by certain Factions.

If one House Faction owns a particular factory and Planet that produces item "A", and is at war with another House Faction. That item "A" should not be available to the second Faction, and giving reason to actually initiate a campaign to capture or destroy that Facility. And probably one of the prime reasons for contracts and Merc units being hired by Factions.

If PGI fully develops this Inner Sphere economy to that extent, giving us every historical Facility relative to the timeline, what it produces, where it's located, who owns or operates it, it will be an exhaustive database to maintain.
- Keep in mind that every Faction has it's own currency.
- Everything that is traded across the Inner Sphere is valued against the Com-Star C-bill.
- If the Factions currency value depreciates because of instability it should cost more.
~ But nothing has been stated if Faction currency is even taken into account!

If we see a set value for items in the Verse, then getting those items to your location may be where differences will appear. If I need an item and it's clear across two other Factions holdings, well out to 6 of 7 "jumps", it may have "shipping costs". And one of the reasons most house Factions maintained there own Facilities and production lines.

The Merc's on the other hand will directly be purchasing everything, or be "gifted" items/chassis for successfully completing contracts for Factions. There is a reason for having "Loyalty" points and standings with each Faction, allowing discounts or even the ability to open that Factions "store" inventory.

We shall see, as the information is released in detail about the Inner Sphere Economy and Markets.

9erRed