Complex trade add-on

from Stardock Forums
I certainly dont expect to see this in the first release. I would like to see trading fleshed out. Something along the lines of the traders in RAH's novel "Citizen of the Galaxy". Where a ship makes multiple stops and "trade up" goods acquired at one port at another. At the minimum a "triangular trade route" like the "Slaves/Sugar/Rum" of the 16th-19th centuries.

In addition the value of the trade route could be more complex depending on the capabilities of the planet to support land/sea/air routes at various tech levels.

Could be almost be a stand-alone game in itself.

Historical trade routes: http://www.dalton.org/groups/rome/RMap2.html
http://www.ciolek.com/OWTRAD/notebook.html
http://www.mmbc.bc.ca/source/schoolnet/exploration/trade.html

RPG Gaming:
http://home.houston.rr.com/tmixon/Trade/
http://www.throneworld.com/lords/lote01/l1_notes.html
368 views 10 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
added to my list
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I bumped this mostly for a sanity check. As it never got a response from the beta community and I was left to wonder if I was the only one to find this concept interesting. If it wont generate sales, not much point in putting resources towards it. Put them toward "Mobilization", I like what Brad has said about what he wants to do, and it would be nice to have his touches added to a "Total Annhiliation" style game.
Should have put this in the bump :p
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
To avoid micromanagement of triangular trade routes, could it be tied to a research project that would then use the AI to travel between two worlds you already have independent trading relations with, thereby generating more $$.

I guess a basic question is whether you care about these routes to raise more money or to micromanage/use for new diplo moves, etc. If the former, let the AI do it (placing your freighters at more risk in times of war). If the latter, I am not sure how to make it elegant, as you don't want a (rum/rum/rum) route.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Definately should be done in a tech tree fashion. The little bit of research I did showed potential for some really complex capabilities. I am not sure how you would emulate rivers like the Nile/Tigris/Euphrates in GC, but am confident that the once the developers sink their teeth into the project something good will result.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Remember that triangular trading only worked because the colonies involved had to follow the orders of the crown. It wouldn't have worked the same way with independent countries.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
>B.O. said: wouldn't have worked the same way with independent countries

I am, by no means, an expert in history or global/galactic economics. However Heinlein seemed to make a pretty good case for the profitability of multi-leg trade routes in COTG.

Jason,

Are you referring to
http://www.classic-games.com/tradewars/
Just glancing aroung what a dogpile search turned up, it seems to be stagnating. I am sure that Stardock can come up with interesting twists on the basic concept. Surely GC could use something more machiavellian than blasting away at other races ships. Complexity and subtlety are what is going to keep the game fresh and playable. Major improvements also make for great press releases, gives reviewers a chance to re-evaluate the game and re-invigorate the "buzz".
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Please up the complexity of the trade module of the game. This is certainly a way to do it.

M
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
Cari, if your still checking out this thread please consider brining up with the other devs that in the current game you can set all of your trade routes to one single planet... and still earn the same amount of cash! This seems highly unrealistic and... well... cheesy. All a player has to do is pump out a huge freighter fleet as soon as he researches trade and then park them all at a distant planet where he can instantly establish a trade route every time he earns a new one through research.

Some would argue that this is a valid tactic... it may be, but it seems highly unrealistic.

Anyway consider please diminishing returns for establishing multiple trade routes to the same planet.