Automation Basics

Status: Planned Feature - This system is currently in development. This article describes how automation will work when released.

ECON Galaxy is designed around one core idea: build a company that runs itself.

You won't click "trade" a thousand times. Instead, you'll design systems that trade for you. The game continues even when you're offline - your ships haul cargo, your stations produce goods, your managers make decisions.

The Philosophy

Active play should be about strategy and optimization, not repetitive clicking.

• When you're online: Plan expansion, react to events, optimize routes
• When you're offline: Production runs, trade routes execute, managers handle routine decisions

Both playstyles are valid. Active players grow faster, but passive players still progress.

Automation Levels

Level 1: Manual Control (Early Game)

You control everything directly:

• Navigate your ship manually
• Buy and sell at stations
• Make every decision yourself

This teaches you the mechanics. You'll understand prices, routes, and demand firsthand.

Level 2: Trade Routes (Early-Mid Game)

Your first automation: repeating routes.

A trade route is a simple rule:

1. Go to Location A
2. Buy Commodity X (if price < threshold)
3. Go to Location B
4. Sell Commodity X (if price > threshold)
5. Repeat

Ships assigned to trade routes run automatically. You can have dozens of routes running simultaneously.

Level 3: Production Rules (Mid Game)

When you have production facilities, you set production rules:

• "Produce Electronics while: Refined Metals available AND Electronics stock < 500"
• "Prioritize: Own fleet supply > Contracts > Open market"
• "If storage > 80%, activate emergency pricing"

Production continues 24/7 based on your rules.

Level 4: Manager System (Mid-Late Game)

Managers are NPCs you hire to make decisions you'd rather not make:

Managers have:

• Skill Levels - Better managers make better decisions
• Specializations - Raw materials, high-tech, logistics, etc.
• Autonomy Settings - How much can they decide alone?
• Salary - Good managers cost more

Level 5: Full Automation (Late Game)

Your empire runs itself:

• Multiple stations producing goods
• Fleet of ships running optimized routes
• Managers handling day-to-day decisions
• You focus on expansion and strategy

Setting Up Your First Trade Route

Here's how to automate a simple trade:

1. Identify a profitable route

   • Station A sells Water at 10 credits
   • Station B buys Water at 18 credits
   • Profit: 8 credits per unit

2. Create the route

   • Open Fleet Management
   • Select your ship
   • Click "Create Trade Route"

3. Configure the stops

   • Stop 1: Station A - Buy Water (max 100 units, max price 12)
   • Stop 2: Station B - Sell Water (min price 15)

4. Activate the route

   • Assign a ship
   • Toggle "Active"
   • Watch it run

Your ship will now loop this route forever (or until you stop it).

Trade Route Tips

Set Price Limits

Don't just "buy everything" - set maximum buy prices and minimum sell prices. Markets fluctuate.

Leave Margin for Error

If your route barely profits at current prices, it'll lose money when prices shift. Build in buffer.

Use Conditional Logic

Advanced routes support conditions:

• "Only buy if stock > 50" (avoid depleting your supplier)
• "Skip stop if cargo full"
• "Priority: Fuel first, then cargo"

Monitor Performance

Check route profitability regularly. A good route today might be bad tomorrow.

When Manual Beats Automation

Automation isn't always better:

• Emergency deliveries - Manual response to sudden demand
• Market manipulation - Precise timing for market plays
• New opportunities - Scout routes before automating them
• PvP situations - Humans adapt faster than rules

The best players mix automated routine with manual intervention for opportunities.

Common Mistakes

1. Automating too early - Learn the route manually first
2. No price limits - Your ship buys at terrible prices
3. Over-complicated routes - Simple routes are reliable routes
4. Ignoring reports - Check performance, routes break
5. One big route - Multiple small routes are more resilient

Automation Progression

Next Steps

• Trade Routes - Detailed route configuration
• Manager System - Hiring and configuring managers
• Production Chains - What to produce