Mexican stand-off style share buy-out at endgame

from Offworld Forums

Was just playing a campaign level, 4 players, no Offworld Market. The game got stuck with all the stock bought and everyone saving up to buy out (except two of the AI seemed to be working their hacker arrays instead). This took a very long time, but that isn't the reason I'm here.

I eventually saved up enough to buy out one of the other companies, and realised the two remaining companies and I were left were stuck in a kind of Mexican stand-off. Each of us owned about half of the other two company's shares, the first player to buyout an opponent would basically be handing the double-value share buyout money to the remaining opponent, who can then instantly afford to buyout the first shooter and win. I've actually similar before (I often try to sneak in a few shares to reap the payout from one AI buying out another), but this time was so well balanced. I wanted the round to end, so I thought I'd go first to see what happens - so I bought out one of the companies and an instant later found myself with a termination notice.

The only way out of this scenario, that I can see anyway, is to save up to buy out both competitors (and hope the AI isn't fast enough to buy you in the middle, or you have human opponents). Are there any other ways out of this situation? Is this something that could be prevented? (in general, I mean, not in the "win faster next time" sense)

 

3,016 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from Offworld Forums Top

AI is propably stupid enough that you can solve by buying your own stock out, then he buys the third guy, and you buy him out. However I get your point, which is ridiculous, as if anyone chooses to buy you out before you could for example buy both out and then lose right after that, then it kinda starts hurting the game.

Though I hope that this late game aspect will be looked more closely before release, currently this mechanic greats a lot of interesting situations, but this mexican standoff is kinda the weak point I guess.

Reply #2 from Offworld Forums Top

How about re-buying your own stock? It should rise your value (because you double whetever you paid him for getting your stock back). If enemy buys the other corporation out - because he has money from your buy-back - then you could strike at him? You could even sell your own stock if needed.

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