Technology suggestion

[toddtreadway]

How about either of the two suggestions:

1) each power would get free tech points in each area each turn equal to the difference between that power's tech rating and the highest rating any power has in that tech. E.g., Germany has tech 9 in armor--Russia has tech 7--Russia would get 2 free tech points each turn in armor. Or maybe just one free one, if that would be too much.

or

2) the current system penalizes research when it goes above the world standard by more than one. How about removing that penalty if there is a power with that tech level higher than yours. E.g., Germany has armor at level 9, which is two above the world standard. Germany paid double to research it. Any other countries would only have to pay the normal single rate.

[5cats]

I like idea #1, with the lower amount of free tech. Helps a little in the "catch-up" and is realistic since it's fairly easy to observe & copy the enemy. To some degree at least.