The current colonization system could greatly benefit from a more nuanced and rewarding approach to player contributions and system ownership. I propose the following adjustments to better incentivize player participation and recognize individual achievements:

1. Completion Rewards and Colonization Payments Based on Contributions

Completing an orbital outpost, settlement, or port should yield a significant one-time completion bonus proportional to the effort and resources invested.

Example: Solo completion of a large orbital station could grant 200 million credits to the player. In group efforts, rewards scale with individual contributions (e.g., 15% contribution earns 15% of the bonus).

Solo colonization and construction should be highly rewarded, as these achievements require significantly more effort compared to group projects.

2. Improved Weekly Dividends Reflecting System Economy and Status

Weekly payments for system ownership could better be influenced by the system’s economy and current status conditions. These factors would dynamically impact the system’s overall economic performance, affecting payouts:

Population Size: Larger populations drive a stronger economy, generating higher income.

Economy Type: Systems with robust industrial, high-tech, or tourism sectors yield higher payouts, while extraction or agricultural economies might generate more stable but lower earnings.

System Status Effects: Events like famine, war, outbreaks, or economic booms/collapses would alter the system’s economic output.

• Economic Boom: Significantly increases production and trade, boosting payouts.
• Economic Collapse: Reduces trade and income, resulting in lower payouts.
• Famine/Outbreak: Drains resources and weakens the economy, causing sharp declines in income until resolved.
• War: Increases local spending on conflict-related goods (e.g., weapons, supplies), possibly increasing payouts for local military economies.

Benefits of This Proposal:

• Rewards align with contributions, ensuring all participants feel valued.
• Significant one time bonuses encourage both solo players and squadrons to engage in the colonization and construction efforts of others.
• Linking payouts to system status adds depth, encouraging active management and investment.
• Encourages cooperative play while maintaining incentives for individual achievements.

I understand colonization originally would not payout anything. However, I feel this system would provide a deeper, more rewarding colonization experience that better reflects the effort all players invest in shaping the bubble. Colonization would become an activity for all commanders across all playstyles.