Looking for clarification of the abilities line in research?

[Osito]

Does anyone understand exactly what the 'level' parameter means, specifically in relation to the 'Population Growth Rate at planet type' ability type?

Thanks,

Osito

PS This is in research.txt.

[Fenrisfil]

The "level" parameter is simply a way of deciding which version of the (in this case) population growth multiplier to utilise. So a higher level will be favoured over a lower one.

Yes, they could probably have just used the highest growth bonus, but I guess either this is to provide some extra flexibility or a programming legacy (as level is also used for component improvements where it may be less obvious which is better).

[Osito]

Thanks for the reply, Fenrisfil.

I note that in research.txt, this level is set at different values depending on which type of planet is having is having its growth rate improved.

Thus:

Continental - level 2
Marshy Swamp - level 3
Ocean - level 5
Desert - level 5
Ice - level 6
Volcanic - level 6

I'm having a hard time understanding why the levels are different, given that each one is supposed to double the growth rate. Sorry if I'm being thick, but any further help you could provide would be appreciated. If it's just a case of 'don't worry about it; leave the values as they are and you'll be fine', let me know.

Thanks,

Osito

[Fenrisfil]

Yes that doesn't really make that much sense. For component improvements the level normally matches the tech level of the project, so it could be that at some point those numbers matched where the relative research projects were in the tree, but then they were moved around and no one corrected it as the numbers are meaningless when you only have one instance of the ability anyway (perhaps in an early version of the game there were more).

Unless your planning to put in additional growth rate technology, I would just ignore them. If you are planning to do so, just make sure the better bonuses also have a higher level number.

[Osito]

Many thanks, that's very helpful.
Osito