Political Economics

[Ravana]

Let's be honest gang, money's what makes the galaxy go 'round, so my question is:

How will economics and trade be handled in-game?

So how about it Zaimat. Care to share any little secrets with us, as I'm really curious whether trade will be via the amorphous "agreement" pact, or is it something that is much finer in detail?

It's been suggested that an empire can become an economic superpower and effectively "win" the game in this capacity. If I've understood this correctly, would you be able to elaborate at all?

[Ravana]

Trade caravans in their simplest form were introduced (AFAIK) in 'Civilisation'. However, if we had actual trade route phenomena i.e. freighters flying to and fro. It might take up too much processor time and clutter the screen - but we won't know until Zaimat reveals a little more.

Still, it would be interesting, as we could actively raid the opposition's economic supplies. Think if you could do that with captured enemy vessels? You'd get all the goodies and blame someone else for the problem...Or you could hire mercenaries/pirates to do the job for you. (There I go again with the third-party shenanigans.)

[Sobriquet]

[Ravana]

I'm not sure about trade routes. "Normally", such things are handled by the ubiquitous diplomacy agreement, and whilst that will likely be an option, I feel Zaimat has intimated at more in the game.

Strategic trade routes are an interesting option, but I feel that it may fall flat if terrain is not (fully) implemented. If we can or have to mine asteroid fields or nebulae, then we would have to control such resources. Think 'Conquest: Frontier Wars', on an imperial scale.

Border posts might suddenly become more important if we have to make forays out from our space and into the great wild beyond, mining resources to build up our fleets to actively expand our borders to gain full control over the terrain. Think of the flashpoints such a move might make!} Especially if more than one empire has been freely mining the same resource. How will they react with their supply line being cut in such a fashion?

We may not get an answer, immediately at least Sobriquet, as the team are working on some aspects of economics at the moment. All the better to dazzle us with in the coming weeks and months.

[Sobriquet]

Will we be able to establish trade routes? Something that has to be defended and/or maintained? Now that would be a nice strategic element to add.

[Ravana]

[Zaimat]

There are no 'queues' per say in Horizon.. You create the conditions and than you watch it flourish!

And that is all I can say for now since we are working on it..[edited]

[Ravana]

[Zaimat]

Money and trade play a very significant part in Horizon.

Everything revolves around if your economy can pay for building ships, development of your colonies, sustaining a war, etc. There are several ways for making money but most of it and the main way involves trading.

I will give a bit of info. I won't be able to elaborate too much for the time being at least.

You can make trade agreements with other races. But it's not necessary, meaning it's not just government controlled and yes there can be illegal trade. You will be able to disrupt trade, you will also be able to encourage it. And that is all I will say for now [edited]

[Sobriquet]