[KeeperOfTheCode]

I like the idea of being able to trade. Of course, I used to play Runescape, so I've seen it in action. The Grand Exchange there is... beautiful. (Sniffs) The fact is, once you have actual open Trade, as in changing values on items to suit needs, then you have got yourself into possibly the craziest, busiest of all MMO features.

The fact is, even if there aren't any "official" servers in which to trade, players are going to come up with a time and place on their own. I've seen the rise and fall of player-created marketplaces in other MMOs, and they change as soon as certain resources (Enemies that give good drops for instance) are relocated, or become obsolete in the wake of newer, better features.

Of course, it wouldn't take off in this game, as all we actually have up for trade are easy to find on one's own. The reason Trading was so popular in other games, is the rule of supply and demand. For instance, selling food/tonics to players fighting in a dangerous or difficult area. In an MMO with smithing as a feature? Someone has to supply the ore to smelt. Then someone has to take that metal to the would-be smiths to be hammered out. Finally, the smith sells the armor to the public. I also saw people setting up makeshift markets in areas where particular items are needed, but scarce. (Water in the desert)

The fact is we'd need a more complex game and more items before a full-fledge trade system could take off. Besides, getting items is just a sail away. The world of POTCO is small and confined when compared with the majority of MMOs. Kill a few enemies, what do you know? There's a rare weapon that just got dropped by a gravedigger! That's another problem. The loot system is too random. What's the weakest enemy in the game doing with the Lost Sword of El Patron? If you can just get that rare weapons from any old enemy, then lower level players may just end up selling weapons that they can't use to higher level people who spent countless hours on General Darkhart to find that very weapon! Sorry I'm talking about other MMOs so much, but this game needs to take a lesson from them. Runescape is a beautiful example. Certain weapons, classified as 'Black' are randomly dropped by Black Knights. They're stronger than your average weapons, and are good for mid-level players. Great! So what's the problem? The Black Knights are too powerful for those mid-level players to kill. So by the time they can beat the knights, those weapons are obsolete. See how that works? High level players kill the knights, get experience, and since the weapons aren't good for them, they are sold, trickling down to those lower level players.

The in-game trade system is beautiful isn't it? But this game isn't established enough to get the full impact of a completely open trade system.