Influence of long distances/enemies for exchanges?

[Trifna]

I woundered if the long distance between two countries would change anything. Same when your worst enemy is between you two.

That's why there were so less exchanges between Orient and Europe and that's why Europe wanted a new route that much. So I just woundered...

Also, bringing horses on caravels to exchange them 4 months after is not easy. And lots of other inconvenients exist.

[Akron]

I'd think that if there is an enemy between 2 allies who want to trade and the only route would be through that enemy, that they would not be able to trade. I read somewhere that you have to protect your trade routes. I wonder whether ocean and air trade can be blockaded, and how.

[Lorizael]

What would be good (and not too complicated) is if you would have to have a clear line of explored terrain from your civ to their's in order to trade. And I'm pretty sure you need a road to trade overland so this is in. That way, it takes awhile for the trade to be setup. But once you get it, it's yours. Not perfect, but good I think.

[Mongoloid Cow]

To trade with another civ, I think (i'm not sure) that you need these things...

1) A peace treaty with the other civ
2) A connection (by road, port or airport) with their capital city. If this is broken, the trade is off
3) To trade maps you need map making
4) Trade

[Martinus]

I think (I am not sure about it) for the land trade you need a road connecting trading cities/civ, while for the sea trade it is just enough to have two ports and a water connection (i.e. discovered sea tiles, linking two ports that want to trade).

That way, "going Da Gama" may be more effective than the traditional "Marco Polo approach" in that in the first instance you would just need two ports and a ship, while in the second your workers will have to build a road from Europe to China for ages.

Anyway, for this idea, Firaxis!