Should resources be limited instead of unlimited?

I can't see how it would work with the vast amounts of resources needed to build a large fleet the first time not to mention replacement costs of lost ships. Now lets talk resource cost for research ...

As the game is set up now it would just be impossible to play out a game with a limited number of resources.

I think it used to work this way back in the original beta (I wasn't around back then) and got changed because it just slowed down the game needlessly.

The biggest problem is that metal and crystal extractors are already the best form of early-game income, but dwindle in importance as the game goes on.  There's no reason to make them any weaker in the late-game when they're already marginal at best.

This would also be a brutal nerf to refineries, which are already inefficient in most cases anyways.  If they just cause extractors to deplete faster, then they'd be pretty much pointless.  Same goes for resource focus (though it's pretty much pointless even with limitless extractor income).

Limited resources is a terrible idea. Long games would become impossible because of running out of resource (at least without black market prices skyrocketting), and in the end its just one more feature that makes the game more complex without adding any more elements of strategy.

Not to mention Sins already has a mechanism for dwindling economies as the game progresses, fleet supply upkeep percentages.  Every tick drops your econ by 8-10% down to 25% of its original value if maxed.  As mentioned, trade ports are the only real way to keep economies going with high upkeep.  Once someone's fleet collapses their empire is basically a popped balloon. 

Thanks for responding.  I was wondering if it might result in shortening the game b/c people could run out of resources, but I see your guys point, and if it was already tried in the original beta and was not fun, than it wouldn't be a good thing.

Yes, limited resources existed for the majority of the beta, it was re-done for the last beta phase. It worked fine while resources were coming in, but after they ran out the only means to get them was refineries and buying on the market. This slowed the economy to a crawl and made it very difficult to do anything. And it would be very difficult to try to balance trade posts/refineries around this to not be overpowering while resources exist, and being useful enough when they run out. It's better with infinite resources

the way I remember it, that was in fact where the original version of the refineries kicked in. standard roid income dropped to a very low level and refineries could then be used to ramp resource income up again significantly. the gameplay was that you had to judge whether you'd be able to take out your opponents before running out of resources. and if not to tech to refineries quickly enough. some interesting strategies involved there ...

'll make a post in the beta fb on it.

Hrm, I seem to remember that refineries always worked, just when it ran out it was *only* refineries making income.

now I am also not sure any more. long time ago ...