What you say in regards to maintenance for AIC has merit, AI Campaign holds this value at a premium as we discussed in an earlier post. The importance of the Engineering Section and Maintenance Facilities play an important and timely role through out your game.
Oleg is correct as your ships increase in cost so will your maintenance expenses. We will always consider do I really need to have CT or Jacketed engines on the workhorse’s such as Transports, Freighters etc. You will be surprised the planning needed to maintain a balanced budget.
If you also notice, Resource Producing Facilities have been increased a little, and yes increased resource gathering characteristics will yield the immediate profit, but there is a much broader effect on this value throughout your AIC game in regards to Mining, Farming, and Refining Characteristics not only in Finite but also the Standard starts as well
[ October 24, 2003, 15:47: Message edited by: JLS ]