Although the trade system implemented in the previous versions was pretty good and original, maybe it could be improved taking into consideration several factors. I have written down some options:
1. Trade with colonies is reflected in the importance of a trade centre. But if there were a colony or even a trade post of a strong navy and trade power nearby, burglars could make a good business, so some traffic could be diverted to other country’s trade centre; maybe other factors like trade routes blocked or routes too long and without scales, could influence in the percentage it escapes to our control. Burglar’s trade could be diminished increasing the fortress level or the naval units presented in the area.
2. Colonies were not usually allowed to trade among themselves (the thirteen colonies before the independence were not allowed to import sugar in their own ships from the British Caribbean for example), so no trade centres should be in the colonies un less it is allowed (Spain accepted it till around 1720). Instead of that maybe should be created like regional trade distribution centres, they will not work as a normal one but the colony where is located will grow faster and will have more income. Trade centres in colonies should no accept merchants from other country (except burglars of course), unless you choose to allow colonies to trade with them (maybe after a war). The colonies will grow faster, but the importance of your home trade centre will decrease
3. Instead of the merchants system (you get a certain number of merchants each year), it should be change into a new concept where you can not choose where the merchants go, but you can open consulates in different trade centres (or provinces to divert part of their trade traffic to your trade centre) where you can back the private trade. The traffic level and the importance of the route will depend on your policies supporting trade opening consulates, naval and trade technology, control of certain products and the demand already existing in certain trade centre (it could be reflected statistically in a number of trade companies or commercial ships existing in the different countries). A trade advisor could indicate you where your merchants want you to act, opening consulates to compete with other ones in better conditions, declare war (they will create a “cassus belli” very easily as they have done in many times) to open markets in case its markets are very protected.
4. Other option could be that trade centres should be had unlimited room for merchants, but so the benefits should be shared among all merchants present in that centre each month. The importance of each merchant is not the same; it will depend on proximity to the trade centre, trade technology, product demand (what products are in your home trade centre), level of mercantilism, scales in the route in case of long routes. The numbers of merchants you have will depend on the same factors currently exist.
I have other ideas but maybe it is too much, too boring or too late.
1. Trade with colonies is reflected in the importance of a trade centre. But if there were a colony or even a trade post of a strong navy and trade power nearby, burglars could make a good business, so some traffic could be diverted to other country’s trade centre; maybe other factors like trade routes blocked or routes too long and without scales, could influence in the percentage it escapes to our control. Burglar’s trade could be diminished increasing the fortress level or the naval units presented in the area.
2. Colonies were not usually allowed to trade among themselves (the thirteen colonies before the independence were not allowed to import sugar in their own ships from the British Caribbean for example), so no trade centres should be in the colonies un less it is allowed (Spain accepted it till around 1720). Instead of that maybe should be created like regional trade distribution centres, they will not work as a normal one but the colony where is located will grow faster and will have more income. Trade centres in colonies should no accept merchants from other country (except burglars of course), unless you choose to allow colonies to trade with them (maybe after a war). The colonies will grow faster, but the importance of your home trade centre will decrease
3. Instead of the merchants system (you get a certain number of merchants each year), it should be change into a new concept where you can not choose where the merchants go, but you can open consulates in different trade centres (or provinces to divert part of their trade traffic to your trade centre) where you can back the private trade. The traffic level and the importance of the route will depend on your policies supporting trade opening consulates, naval and trade technology, control of certain products and the demand already existing in certain trade centre (it could be reflected statistically in a number of trade companies or commercial ships existing in the different countries). A trade advisor could indicate you where your merchants want you to act, opening consulates to compete with other ones in better conditions, declare war (they will create a “cassus belli” very easily as they have done in many times) to open markets in case its markets are very protected.
4. Other option could be that trade centres should be had unlimited room for merchants, but so the benefits should be shared among all merchants present in that centre each month. The importance of each merchant is not the same; it will depend on proximity to the trade centre, trade technology, product demand (what products are in your home trade centre), level of mercantilism, scales in the route in case of long routes. The numbers of merchants you have will depend on the same factors currently exist.
I have other ideas but maybe it is too much, too boring or too late.
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