Luxuries in Trade Routes?

[thespleenfarmer]

When you mouse over an existing or potential trade route, it sometimes shows luxuries and resources that the foreign city controls at a 0.5 value. I assumed this meant that you if got two of said trade routes up with the same luxury, you'd get access to it. This doesn't seem to be the case, though. What exactly is that stuff doing?

 

[Calouste]

It adds value to your trade route. For every luxury or strategic resource that the foreign city has in its cultural sphere (i.e. this can be more than just the three tile radius that can be worked) that you don't have, the value of the trade route increases by 0.5. Resources your city has but the foreign city doesn't add the same amount. Double for Portugal, and of course the whole amount is doubled for a sea route. Considering that a capital usually has 2 luxuries and one strategic resource, that's 5-6 gpt right off the bat for a sea route.

 

[MikHolmes]

My theory (while I'm at work and not able to test) is that you get extra gold for resources the foreign city has. The 0.5 value means you're getting 0.5 gpt from it. But like I said, unable to test right now.

Edit: Er, what Calouste said.

 

[thespleenfarmer]

Ahhhh, that makes sense. Awesome, thanks!