I agree. The game is balanced around the idea of small farms prospering through diversification. I mean, look at all those signs around the map "Support your local farmer". It's a pretty big clue as to their intentions for the game.bossmanslim wrote: ↑Thu Dec 23, 2021 6:28 pmIt depends on how long you play the map. If you are going to play for a long time AND don't mind the pallet tax (I use super strength) then it is always better to setup the production chain as they do pay off within 2 years, meaning you will get more cash every year per crop via the production chain.mackintosh wrote: ↑Thu Dec 23, 2021 6:14 pm I do get the feeling that everything is geared towards and balanced around small-scale production. Even though end products are much more profitable than inputs, by the time I have enough volume, I am several harvests ahead and would have made more money by just dumping grain rather than mucking about with production chains.
As you mentioned, the main issue with production chains are they are half baked for all intensive purposes, especially when compared to other games. I think the easiest thing for Giants to do is to lower the auto sell tax so those who want to do the manual loading and hauling can still get benefit, but the players who don't can still get benefit of setting up production chains.
After all, what size plant would you expect for an 80k investment? We are talking micro- production. Backyard industry.
It's a formula which works for many. For me it feels well balanced. So I wouldn't favour a gear shift towards greater throughput.
Perhaps it's a space for modders.