A trade Question

[rah]

I'm sure this general question has been discussed before. (I'm too lazy to look for it) But I'm interested in one particular aspect so I'll ask it here.

In between turns in an MP game, I'll be doing city maintenance and (this is happening more frequently or maybe I'm just noticing it more) the trade demands will change while i'm on the screen.

What causes it?

Since we usually only play single sessions up to 1 a.d. at the lastest, I'm more concerned about the ancient era.

Obviously it's not my turn when it happens so I didn't do anything to cause it. I'm wondering if someone completes researching trade, does that change all the supply and demands. But I've seen it happen too frequently for that (I think anyway) so something else must be doing it.

The benefits of knowing are obvious, especially if you have some control or can predict when it will happen.

ANY EXPERTS care to put forth a theory?

RAH

[germanos]

I am no way an expert, but in Single player I have noticed that in some cases the fields that are worked in your city change the supply in your city.

[rah]

In all the times I primed a city for a caravan delivery, I never saw the demand change. But I don't do it much anymore in MP since it slows the game down so much, only a few times a game.

RAH

[markusf]

If you work and mine a special, the trade route for the city increases by up to +3 and the demand can change.. If the city you have a trade route increases in size the demand can change, if someone else discouvers trade etc etc etc. If you keep your city sizes the same, and you don't reach a milestone in population your trade goods should stay pretty stable.

[rah]

So someone else getting trade changes it. I suspected that but wasn't sure. Any others that can happen when it's not your turn?

[markusf]

certain techs change it as well. IE you suddenly have oil etc.

[rah]

The one for oil is probably happens too late for our games

Since invention is a bonus reduction, I wonder if it does it too.

Rich

How about which one allows coal? That comes early enough.

[markusf]

I have seen oil when i got literacy in the last 2 games.

Coal, i think you need a coal in the city radius and you get it.. If you mine it. otherwise you got to wait for some tech lol

[rah]

Yep, just trying to figure out if I can squeeze a few more science bonus beakers out of it. Timing is everything.

[finbar]

I've seen Oil as a trade option very early in games. Of course no one wants it. Maybe it has something to do with Literacy. You need something to fuel the lamps to light the darkness in order to read and write.

[markusf]

Originally posted by finbar
I've seen Oil as a trade option very early in games. Of course no one wants it. Maybe it has something to do with Literacy. You need something to fuel the lamps to light the darkness in order to read and write.

You get more money for oil, then you would for most goods a city demands.

[finbar]

True. But I've never ever seen any other city demanding oil when it turns up early in the game.

[markusf]

Originally posted by finbar
True. But I've never ever seen any other city demanding oil when it turns up early in the game.

build cities bigger then size 8