Tropico, the Game You can quit - but you can't leave!

[Coconut Kid]

"Is Tropico the Game You've Always Wanted To Play" is sparked by an ancient thread started by Jonny3 May 06, 2001. His is really the only post in the thread worth while -- so here it is:

In my case, I'd say "pretty close."

I started playing computer games in 1989, with the original Sim City. Then I branched out to the old Koei games - Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the like. I always thought, "Boy, wouldn't it be great to have a Sim Dictator type of game with a sophisticated economic system and a sophisticated political system?"

Tropico does a wonderful job of immersing me in the problems and rewards of total control of a nation's destiny. I love the economic model; the types of commodities available for development are exactly what you find in the types of Thrid World countries that often fall into tyranny.

Because I'm an historian, I really wanted a game that is dynamic politically, and simulates the ebb and flow of power politics. I love the factions in Tropico, and the fact that you must balance competing interests against each other in order to stay in power. And the individuality of the citizens is a great feature. A single citizen can support a variety of factions, and this, I think, is very realistic.

I would argue that the game really needs a secret police element. Secret police are found in every dictatorship, and in Tropico a secret police office could be used to extend govt control to a lesser degree than soldiers.

I also wish the game had more govt ministry buildings, and that those buildings would exert a positive influence on the areas of society that they are responsible for (an Agriculture Ministry would improve ag production by a small percent, say).

I also think soldiers should never have to have a high school education. In Third World countries, young men from poor families often choose the army as a route to upward mobility.

But on balance, I really love this game. I worry that it will appeal mostly to historians and political scientist types, but a really think anybody interested in strategy games should give it a try. I hope it sells very well.
I added the emphasis. I think it goes to show that serious gamers are in the same grove on Tropico! If T3 doesn't have "secret police" and more government ministries -- it will miss an obivious mark.

The point about soldiers not needing HS to enlist is well taken. Likewise, Generals (who should be Colonels -- Presidente is the only General) do not need College (another topic).

[Capitaligous]

Serious gamers on the same level as Tropico?!
PopTop sure struck oil there.

What I'm wondering is if T3 will be more popular than the original......I know I'm going to buy it 

[El Meck]

The point about soldiers not needing HS to enlist is well taken. Likewise, Generals (who should be Colonels -- Presidente is the only General) do not need College (another topic).

It IS a good point and in the german Bundeswehr when you choose to do your Military Service you also dont have to be educated.
   
I think there have to be Colonels (lower Officers) and Generals too. Because El Presidente is the "Maximo Leader" not the general 
maybe there can be add a Classification System (stars for General classes)
example: - 4x * General
             - 3x ** General
             - 2x *** General
             - 1x **** General (maybe the Presidente)

[Coconut Kid]

I have to back off of my stand about military titles.

I used to think that verisimilitude called for Tropico to have only Colonels and Soldiers. Now I think that is too narrow a view.

The titles should vary according to El Presidente's choice of his own personal title and character style. If he is a militarist and chooses to concentrate on leading the army as El Maximo, then the army will be all generals and colonels. If however he/she goes to other interests, then the army will be nothing but Colonels and Soldiers.

It's a game. That's a tweek for a smile, and apologies to El Meck.

[Coconut Kid]

Here is another ancient post which shows an entirely different direction T3 could have taken:

Captain Carrrghter: Quote: What does MMORPG stand for?

Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.

I remember an announcement about Tropico becoming an MMPORG, where you could be a citizen of Tropico, and search for work, entertainment, housing, and be subjected to the whims of the Presidente. It turned out to be an April Fool's hoax, but an interesting idea none-the-less. Although why anybody would want to be a Citizen of Tropico, rather than its ruler, I'm not sure.

[Little Dragon]

I can live with Tropico everyday.

[el_malo]

Do I wish to play Trop3... I have no idea 

Since the publisher and developer is ignoring its
possible fan-base, especially the English language
market, it is impossible to make a decision 

[Coconut Kid]

By Jonny3 May 06, 2001.
... Because I'm an historian, I really wanted a game that is dynamic politically, and simulates the ebb and flow of power politics. I love the factions in Tropico, and the fact that you must balance competing interests against each other in order to stay in power. And the individuality of the citizens is a great feature. A single citizen can support a variety of factions, and this, I think, is very realistic.
...
I also think soldiers should never have to have a high school education. In Third World countries, young men from poor families often choose the army as a route to upward mobility.
...

We've discussed a couple of the points briefly.

Some heat has been generated about simulation/realism; but that is mainly about the visuals. The big T3 difference in game play which is evident from the screenshot releases is the introduction of land vehicles and different roads. The visual implication is that there will be a huge impact with most of the population tooling around in car and trucks. There must be a new occupation: Taxi Driver. Perhaps the aborted T1 Dispatcher will be reinstated.

Personally, I'm sorry to see Tropico turned into a Los Angeles automobile culture.

There is a very indirect implication that the island will be much larger that the large T1 island.

It's certainly too late to expect any ideas or suggestions to be included, but I have one none-the-less. Allow soldiers to "enlist" without HS education, but make the HS's & Colleges set to the military education option for soldiers only with average military pay for students. That would create a career progression for the military:

• Enlist at remote guard station
• Enroll at Military HS
• Graduate to Palace Guard or Army Base
• Enroll in Military College
• Graduate to Armory

.
The micro-management player could screen the enrollees in the military schools.