Citizen poll: How fast should we get computers?

Our research rate is currently set at 100% which will give us the computer technology in three turns. The Domestic Leader has proposed reducing our research rate to 60% which would give us computers in five turns.

The computer technology would allow us to produce and upgrade to mechanized infantry. Mechanized infantry (12.18.2) requires 110 shields to produce where as tanks (16.8.2) need 100 shields and infantry (6.10.1) 90 shields. The upgrade cost (as far as I can tell) from infantry to mechanized infantry is 40 gold per unit. We currently have 67 infantry units and the total upgrade cost is 2680 gold. We have 2955 in the treasury now though some of this has already been allocated for FA and certain city improvements.

Here are the current figures for the different settings we could use (though when one turn away from computers we canpossibly lower the science rate to get more gold while still getting computers in one turn):

Science/tax/luxury, turns till computers, treasury surplus or deficit per turn

0.10.0, 3, -39 gpt

1.9.0, 4, +112 gpt
2.8.0, 4, +260 gpt

3.7.0, 5, +432 gpt
4.6.0, 5, +591 gpt

5.5.0, 6, +731 gpt

6.4.0, 8, +911 gpt

7.3.0, 10, +1067 gpt

8.2.0, 15, +1237 gpt

9.1.0, 29, +1388 gpt

10.0.0, -, +1545 gpt

This poll will be open for one day.

You may only vote for one option.

If you vote other please state why.

Other - My main concern is not mech infantry as I seriously doubt we will experience an Iroquois incursion in this war. As they lack tanks, our own infantry is sufficient to defend against infantry assaults. What I am concerned about is our Wonder program. What is the timetable on prebuilds? When do we need to have Computers in order to switch Wonder construction before we accidentally build the wrong Wonder?

I support the Domestic Leader's proposal of 60%, if the profits we make over those five turns are then used for a massive upgrade project of infantry to mech infantry. While I agree with Shaitan that, since the Irogquois don't have tanks our infantry should be sufficient, I would feel a whole lot safer with the best defensive unit available defending out cities. Plus, then we do not have to worry about military upgrades until modern armor become available.

Thank you, Eyrei, for the support.

Shaitan, if I remember correctly, we have about 16 turns before the Manhattan Project is complete, which means based on this figure Science could be taken down to 30% (taking growth into consideration).

I would support any level down to that point.

I concur with Cyc's approach. I wouldn't want to increase the time research time to anything more than 5 turns, because I believe in keeping and increasing our science lead, but the extra money for upgrades will make Computers a far more useful technology when we do get it.

Originally posted by donsig
We currently have 67 infantry units and the total upgrade cost is 2680 gold. We have 2955 in the treasury now though some of this has already been allocated for FA and certain city improvements.

Click to expand...

This means that we'd be able to upgrade not more than half of our infantry on the turn we get Computers, if we want to keep the 50 gpt Wall Street provides us with. This is not as big of an issue, as there is no need to upgrade units deep in our teritorry.

However, I also think that the two extra turns of waiting will not harm us in any way and am therefore voting '5 turns'.

I'm voting for three turns. We put much effort into gaining out tech lead and then selling techs for good profit. Our tech lead is not that great now and we're not sure how close the Iroquois are to tanks, are we?