Emma

[Relix Typhon]

I *think* the influence numbers update once a day but yes, lots of people need to be involved.
I'll come over and help as soon as I can but I'm busy grinding Federation ranks so I can get to Sol, I keep getting side tracked and have neglected them for too long

[JohnLuke]

Yip, the influence numbers update daily. It's in the afternoons for me, so probably 18:00-21:00 hours in game.

[Emma]

Ok - Federation is something else I have been meaning to ask about. Should I be working on it and getting a rank? And going to Sol- you can't just fly there?

[TorTorden]

You need the rank of midshipman with the Federation to get the permit for sol.
There's nothing really there although fd does try an incorporate a lot of our current knowledge on the solar system into the game.

But you can't land on the Moon
And there aren't much you can buy there or anything.

The planets are worthy of a trip since they don't follow the standard cookie cutter gas giant/ice world scenario as the rest of the universe.

[Emma]

Is it Federation = Good, Empire = Bad? If I get ranks in Federation, will I still be able to visit Empire stations?

[Cmdr Kharma]

Yes......

The Empire are vile slave traders.......That dress funny and have poncy ships.......

The Federation are fine upstanding people...

Who like me are handsome....Dashing and debonair....

And yes you can visit any station no matter what your rank with the major factions......

Mind you these are only my opinions.......

Some poncy shipped people might beg to differ......

[Cometborne]

Influence levels are only recalculated once a day, this is called the BGS tick. Happens somewhere around 1200 game time IIRC.

[JohnLuke]

Is it Federation = Good, Empire = Bad? If I get ranks in Federation, will I still be able to visit Empire stations?

I think of the Federation as a democratic government, and Empire as a dictatorship.

I started in Fed space in E-D and moved to Empire about 6 months later when I found that it was (at least IMO) more profitable. Better trade routes ....helping humans relocate, mostly (referred to as Imperial Slaves in game-which is an indentured servant) and more and higher paying RES. Again, these are just my personal findings.

I don't get involved in the politics of the game..... I tend to go where the money is.

You can visit and rank up with both (all three, actually) major factions at any time, and/or the same time if you wish. I am an Admiral with the Feds, King in Empire, and at times have been allied with all three major factions at the same time. It's totally up to the individual player. That's one of the things that I love about this game.... I can do what I want, when I want, and nobody is going to stop me!

[Emma]

Soooo, what you're saying is that slave trading in Empire space is really helping them escape, so it's a good thing? But still illegal there?

I have been looking at the ships, and some of the Empire ships look very nice. I agree, it's great that you have so much freedom in this game. I didn't want to go down a route that may limit me later on.

[TorTorden]

I consider them both cesspools of human bigotry and exploitation.

Sure the empire has slaves, but I seriously don't think there is a minimum wage in the Federation if you get my meaning.

And the imperial slave system is more like a fixed established work away debt program.
And should be strictly controlled and maintained, more like a long term au pair, but of course that's the ideal and not necessarily the reality and exploitation and abuse occur, like, with au pairs.


The imperial gutamaya ships are a bit like apple products, only good.