Visible and more important route networks
Here is an idea: How about making route networks visible and more important in Civ 5?
By visible I don't mean seeing little trade caravans following the roads, or seeing little trains making use of the rail road, although that would be very nice too. I mean it could be made possible to display different networks as extra information on the map, lines connecting map tiles using different colours for different networks. They could be hidden by default but made visible if the player wants to look at them (just like the borders of the map tiles).
In the previous civ games there have been route networks playing an unseen role. I think Civ V could benefit from having them closer to the surface. I am thinking there can be several sets of route networks active. Some examples of how these networks could work:
- Supply routes between cities
- Trade routes between cities
- Supply routes between cities and armies (some units need more or other supplies then others: tanks need fuel, cavalry need grassland, scouts or settlers do not need suppies)
- Communication routes (for diplomatic exchange, religious exchange, research exchange)
All these routes can be of three types: land, sea or air. So this gives a good number of different route networks. The cost of transport should take into account the length of the route from source to target.
Now the nice thing about knowing the structure of these networks is that you can try to alter the structure of a network. This should give a lot of interesting strategic opportunities, especially if you consider how networks could change quickly and influence each other. In the late game this copuld make for a less static map. Although the lay of the land is completely known, the route networks can still be changed. Some examples:
- Build a canal at a narrow piece of land to change the global sea lanes (of course building such a canal should be considered something like a wonder of the world).
- Build a bridge over the canal to reconnect your land routes.
- Surround a city under siege with SAM units to cut off aerial supply lines.
- Put up a naval blockade to block enemy trade routes and supply lines.
- Grant another civ the right to use your territory for a selection of their routes.
- Try to cut off or enlarge the supply lines of invading forces.
- Try to circumnavigate the globe to discover new transport routes.
- Help another civ with their barbarian problem because the barbarians are blocking your routes.
In real history there have been numerous examples how networks played an important role next to borders and battles. Take the Silk Route for example, or the Suez Canal. Or the broken support lines of Napoleon and Hitler in Russia. Or the Berlin air bridge. Or Russia threatening to shut down the gas pipeline...
Greetings,
D.
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Originally Posted by Dieuwertje
