Trade houses and corporations

[lwarmonger]

So, first, trade houses. To quote the manual, "they exist." But do they? I dont think I've seen them, if there is even a way to see them. What are they and what do they actually do?

Second, corporations. These entities dont really seem to do much except have some money, skim revenue from my private sector (creating a bit of unhappiness). Can they own assets? If so, how do I see that? It isnt clear to me where that money they collect goes and what impact they actually have. If they cant... then why do they exist? There doesnt seem to be much of a gameplay impact, unlike the cults or the crime syndicates.

Loving the game, but I think something that will be important for it's long term success is more tool tips ingame... otherwise this will become a game that most people simply cant get into.

[Jdane]

As for the Corporation, I don't know if it's because I got my Supreme Council director on the board, but it triggered decisions, got me corporate scientist stratagem cards and at one point created its own faction that provided me with leaders, so there was an impact.

I guess one might maybe have to use a stratagem card to define the regime's policy towards the Corporation in order to trigger those events.

[Malevolence]

Corporations show up depending on circumstances. Like crime syndicates and cults they have strategems, etc.

The trade houses run things behind the scene of the trade screen and financials. They determine prices based on supply and demand.

Look closely at your financial report screen. You will notice the private sector trading independently even in your own empire.

Tip: If you're trying to starve out an enemy city, don't sell your food! You might just be working against yourself. Just ask TortugaPower.

[Kamelpov]

starving city require 1st that inside the city hex they don't have private farm and then selling food only impact their whole country so if you rush take farm it can be useful. But private sector will sell the private food if they have a surplus anyway as embargo don't exist. The only true fact is encirclement siege is the one that work+ arty barrage

[Dan1911]

Citys will starve b4 it setups a private food farm (1k private credits)
So allow emergency food aid for citys, they will use the state stockpiles untill they have the private food setup

[AttuWatcher]

Yes, they will start starving and game gives no warning at all. Learned that one the hard way some time ago. I allow emergency food by default now.

[Kamelpov]

ORIGINAL: Dan1911

Citys will starve b4 it setups a private food farm (1k private credits)
So allow emergency food aid for citys, they will use the state stockpiles untill they have the private food setup

That is true for new city just after colonization

[PaulAllen1982]

ORIGINAL: Malevolence
Tip: If you're trying to starve out an enemy city, don't sell your food! You might just be working against yourself. Just ask TortugaPower.

Wow, there are so many mechanics in this game that I haven't found yet.
You can starve out enemy cities? Cool.

I assume you mean that selling food via the trade screen means it can end up in the hands of the enemy?

I thought you'd need a trade agreement with the other faction to allow your trade house to do business with theirs?

[springel]

ORIGINAL: PaulAllen1982
I thought you'd need a trade agreement with the other faction to allow your trade house to do business with theirs?

I think Trade Houses are independent international traders. They represent the world market.

[lwarmonger]

There is a lot going on under the surface though... I would have never known about trade houses if I didnt read the manual (which took me a few days to get through).

Part of that is just the way information is displayed... the biggest thing I think could be done to improve this game (not talking about expanding it yet) is just changing to UI to be more user friendly in how it presents information, and improving tooltip ingame so the consequences of what you are doing is more readily apparent to the player.