Improved trade reputation

[TheNiceOne]

While using the search engine to look for some old threads, I found one of my old suggestions. While I know its too late for C3C, I don't think this is much bigger than could fit in a patch, and it would improve the trade aspect quite a lot. So please look at the old thread found here and tell me what you think.

 

[Sarevok]

I like this idea, reputations gt screwed a bit too quickly. i think they should fix if you switch government.

 

[TheNiceOne]

Originally posted by Sarevok
I like this idea, reputations gt screwed a bit too quickly. i think they should fix if you switch government.

Do you mean that your reputation should become good again after having switched to a new government? If so, that opens up a lot of exploits. Religious civs could change government now and then after having screwed all the other civs, and even with non-religious civs I would make sure to buy a tech for gold per turn and then declare war to avoid paying just before I would change government.

 

[Pembroke]

This is something that simply *has* to be implemented. The problem with the current on/off flag solution to the reputations and gpt deals is extremely frustrating...

I'd also like to resurface my old pet idea that complements the TNOs idea: involuntary deal breaks and compensation.

The purpose of the reputation in the game is that the ingenious human player would not screw the AI blind. At least not without paying a penalty for it. However, currently your reputation can be ruined by "force majore" events that are completely out of your control, e.g. a 3rd civ captures the last harbor city of your trading partner => trade deal is broken and your rep is ruined.

First, let me say that even with events out of your control you should NOT get out of the situation without a penalty. It would open up too many exploits and, frankly, if in the real world you have contracted to deliver a shipment to someone and your cargo gets stolen on the way you can't just say to your customer "tough luck" and keep his money. What happens is that you pay his money back. Or he sues you and the court orders you to pay it back.

Same thing ought to happen in Civ3, too. If a trade deal is broken, for whatever reason, the receiving end of a gpt (or resource) deal would open up the negotiation window and demand an instant payment equal to the part of the per turn deal still left. If the other pays up he proves that he was dealing honorably and so his reputation is saved. As the hurt party gets a compensation he isn't cheated in the deal, either. Only if the supplier won't pay is his reputation ruined.

This would work, because if the trade deal is broken intentionally then there would be no point for the cheater to pay any compensation, either, so the reputation hit would only go to those who really did screw the other. Just like it should be.

Example:

"Your incense shipments have not arrived. Are you trying to cheat us?"
AI wants: 150 gold
AI gives: <nothing>

Accept: your rep is saved.
Refuse: your rep gets a hit.

And the other way round:

"We are unable to pay you the tribute of 20 gpt you demanded. Have mercy on us, accept all of our gold and give us peace."
AI wants: peace
AI gives: 13 gold.

Accept: AI rep is saved. Peace continues.
Refuse: AI rep is hit. War is declared.