Base cost

[Soterius]

I don't understand what this means...

For example, it says base cost for building a Settler is 80 Production and cost is 53. Why is cost divided into base cost and normal cost, what difference does it make? Why don't they just say: "Here, this is what a Settler costs: 133 Production, that's it"

What is the meaning of this system that divides the cost into two types of cost?

 

[Seek]

Certain production items increase in cost as you build more of them (eg, districts, settlers, builders). It's been speculated that turn time may play a role, and perhaps game speed/map size also.