Re: economic strategy

AngleWyrm wrote:

> "Eternal Vigilance" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > AngleWyrm wrote:
> > > It is my opinion that profit-loss concepts exist on a level associated
> with
> > > individual players, but cease to exist on the level of the game universe
> as
> > > a whole; similar to the conservation of matter-energy, so the
> conservation
> > > of resources.
> > >
> > > Also, the value of any given resource to a player might change due to
> > > strategy or tactics. This is something I enjoy: "Which is worth more to
> me:
> > > three tanks, two jets, or five troops?" and ideally, I would like the
> answer
> > > to differ according to my current situation, or plan of action.
> >
> > Game mechanics specifics  determine alot - possession of a combination of
> > resources...
>
> I've just been reading Adam Smith's "An Inquiry into the Nature And Causes
> of the Wealth of Nations", and his major point is that the wealthiest
> nations get that way because their people specialize. They do one thing, and
> then figure out ways to do it really well. Thus they can produce much more
> of something than anyone else who might try it. He suggests this is why a
> lowly construction worker in an industrialized nation lives better than some
> African kings. The "Profit" is the labor saved, and used/traded for someone
> else's production/service.
>
> This is a concept that I haven't seen in a video game that I can recall.

I can immediately think of the games with unit types where a particular type is
really good
in one type of operation and less than normal in others.


   generic infantry    2 offense   2 defence
   cavalry                5 offense   1 defense
   fortgarrison          1 offence  5 defence

specialization allowing significant adavtages in  a certain situation and
detrimental
if in wrong situation.


I would expect the Napoleonics  games wouyld have the famous combination
attacks (Infantry+Cavalry+Artilery)  which dont work if one  of the 3
specialized units
is missing....



Any of the RPG games with skill points which specialization gives capabilities
much greater than
an ordinary 'jack of all trades' (but then is weak/vulnerable in other
abilities/situations).
A 'party' of mixed high level specialist can face/solve problems not possible by
a gaggle
of  average skilled.


...

You dont get very far in civilization if you build nothing but military units
--  the settlers (workers)
who build improvements/ start new cities.   Similarly you will lose quite fast
if you never build
any military units.