Loans and Debts |
Much like real life, to get things started, you must go into debt. When you start a game, you start in debt, with some amount of money being owed to a loan shark.
Loan sharks are happy to loan you money, but they tend to get quite upset if you don't pay your loans on time. These are not credit agencies you're dealing with...the penalty for late payment is a little more severe than a stern letter and black mark on your credit rating.
About Loans |
Loans in Drug Wars - Underworld consist of some amount of money (the principal) which is given to you up-front by a loan shark. Loans are always for a pre-determined amount and duration. Once you borrow from a loan shark, there is no going back.
Starting the day after you borrow the money, interest accumulates. Every day your debt to the loan shark grows. Depending on the loan shark, you may end up owing many times the amount you initially borrowed. Your debt continues to grow until you pay of the loan. If you decide to pay off the loan early, the loan shark may charge you part of the interest he would have made during the remainder of the loan (that is how they make their money).
You can have any number of loans at a time, but be careful. While it is a way to get quick cash when you're in a tight spot, you may find yourself in a huge heap of debt with no way out.
Viewing Current Loans |
Your current total debt is displayed in the Character area of the main window. The loan window will display all of your current loans, including when they are due, the amount, and who the money is owed to.
Paying Back a Loan |
You can pay back a loan one of two ways. You can pay the loan when the loan shark comes looking for his money, or you can pay the loan early using the loan window.
Either way, you can only pay your loan off in full...you cannot pay back a partial amount.
When a loan shark comes looking for his money, the conflict window will appear, and you can choose to pay the loan, ask for more time, or you can 'get into it.' Trying to skip out on your loan is not advised...loan sharks are very determined individuals.
To pay off your loan before it is due, you must be in the same location as your loan shark. Open the loan window, and select the loan to pay. When paying a loan early, the loan shark may accelerate your interest, so you will end up paying more than what is shown in your current debt display.
Borrowing New Loans |
You can take out a new loan at any time, just be careful to not get in over your head. In the loan window, click New Loan to see a list of available loan sharks and their terms.
Different loan sharks have different rules on how much they will loan you, what interest rate they charge, and how soon they want it paid back. Some only loan out large amounts, while others are more flexible.