There are plenty of ATMs across the city to withdraw and deposit money.
However, these ATMs don’t have a real presence in the world. The cash disappears into your account once deposited.
I therefore suggest some new mechanics to improve the ATM and banking system.
ATMs hold physical money
An ATM could hold money that has been deposited by players for a limited time or until a cash-in-transit worker collects the cash.
The withdrawal and deposit amount for ATMs would have to be capped. For example, this could be limited to £20,000. This would be enough for players to buy items such as food, weapons, or pay a taxi driver. But not enough to make large luxury or commercial purchases.
ATMs would then have a float. The float is the amount of cash the ATM holds ready to be withdrawn. This will increase or decrease depending on the withdrawals and deposits of that day. Players shouldn’t know the float value. It could also be based on area traffic - for example an ATM in Legion Square would hold a higher amount of float than one in Grapeseed (sorry Grapeseed residents).
ATMs would then have a maximum float. Once the value of cash in the ATM exceeds the maximum float value, a cash-in-transit worker will be requested to collect cash from the ATM. This could be fulfilled by Gruppe6.
The money would then have to be taken to a local bank branch or similar place to be deposited.
To prevent exploiting, a cooldown of an hour should be placed on any deposits into an ATM. Staff could monitor whether ATMs have had a surge of deposits before it being robbed too.
ATM Robbery
Players could drill into an ATM to rob it.
The notes inside would be wads of cash.
Inside the ATM could be DNA spray so that the person who breaks into it is left with that on them. This would be like gun-shot residue, where the police can test for it.
Each ATM can only be robbed once every week. Otherwise it will show as ‘High security’.
Only three ATMs can be robbed per storm. Otherwise it will show as ‘High security’
Cash-in-Transit
Gruppe6 or another job could be sent to collect the cash when an ATM reaches the maximum float value.
Players can intercept the Cash-in-Transit.
Cash-in-Transit in this case would be of low or medium security, decided on automatically by the float value. For example ATMs in Sandy Shores will have low security whereas in Legion Square it will be medium security.
Withdrawals and Deposits at Bank Branches
Bigger withdrawals and deposits will have to be made at the bank branches. This will drive traffic to those places. Gruppe6 could offer increased site security at times to allow players to get their cash out more safely.
Alternatively players can use their banking app to make large transfers. This has the downside for criminals that their transaction details can be monitored by law enforcement. Legal characters will be less affected by this mechanic.
Pros
There will be more opportunities for RP as a result of this feature.
It will create an additional challenge for all players in managing their cash.
Cons
It is probably a very extensive idea for the devs- it will likely require some sort of database and tracking.
It requires upkeep from Gruppe6 or similar.
However, these ATMs don’t have a real presence in the world. The cash disappears into your account once deposited.
I therefore suggest some new mechanics to improve the ATM and banking system.
ATMs hold physical money
An ATM could hold money that has been deposited by players for a limited time or until a cash-in-transit worker collects the cash.
The withdrawal and deposit amount for ATMs would have to be capped. For example, this could be limited to £20,000. This would be enough for players to buy items such as food, weapons, or pay a taxi driver. But not enough to make large luxury or commercial purchases.
ATMs would then have a float. The float is the amount of cash the ATM holds ready to be withdrawn. This will increase or decrease depending on the withdrawals and deposits of that day. Players shouldn’t know the float value. It could also be based on area traffic - for example an ATM in Legion Square would hold a higher amount of float than one in Grapeseed (sorry Grapeseed residents).
ATMs would then have a maximum float. Once the value of cash in the ATM exceeds the maximum float value, a cash-in-transit worker will be requested to collect cash from the ATM. This could be fulfilled by Gruppe6.
The money would then have to be taken to a local bank branch or similar place to be deposited.
To prevent exploiting, a cooldown of an hour should be placed on any deposits into an ATM. Staff could monitor whether ATMs have had a surge of deposits before it being robbed too.
ATM Robbery
Players could drill into an ATM to rob it.
The notes inside would be wads of cash.
Inside the ATM could be DNA spray so that the person who breaks into it is left with that on them. This would be like gun-shot residue, where the police can test for it.
Each ATM can only be robbed once every week. Otherwise it will show as ‘High security’.
Only three ATMs can be robbed per storm. Otherwise it will show as ‘High security’
Cash-in-Transit
Gruppe6 or another job could be sent to collect the cash when an ATM reaches the maximum float value.
Players can intercept the Cash-in-Transit.
Cash-in-Transit in this case would be of low or medium security, decided on automatically by the float value. For example ATMs in Sandy Shores will have low security whereas in Legion Square it will be medium security.
Withdrawals and Deposits at Bank Branches
Bigger withdrawals and deposits will have to be made at the bank branches. This will drive traffic to those places. Gruppe6 could offer increased site security at times to allow players to get their cash out more safely.
Alternatively players can use their banking app to make large transfers. This has the downside for criminals that their transaction details can be monitored by law enforcement. Legal characters will be less affected by this mechanic.
Pros
There will be more opportunities for RP as a result of this feature.
It will create an additional challenge for all players in managing their cash.
Cons
It is probably a very extensive idea for the devs- it will likely require some sort of database and tracking.
It requires upkeep from Gruppe6 or similar.
