Drug Cartel?

[Yoman]

I read some where that there would have been a drug cartel in the game, but was taken out.  Well the feature be added later as a patch?  That would be cool.

[Kendahlj]

I am not sure if drugs were initially part of the game's design or not.  It won't be added as a patch, but perhaps as part of Tropico 2, or an expansion.  I think that the designers decided that adding the element of drugs basically changed too many aspects of the game they wanted to create (this is just a guess).  There are too many different directions the game could go if drugs were included.  Or it could just be they wanted to keep it a family-friendly game!

[Luke]

kendahlj u better leave the part about guessing to brian!

[Me]

keep it a family-friendly game!

i think more like not wanting any societal, religious or government body to criticize or condemn the game for allowing players to interact in the drug trade..

[Spike]

Social Mores aside ... it would generate a neat set of parameters ... like a Noriega scenario!

[enigmaja]

Just imagine that your corn crops are ganja...

enigmaja

[Me]

i hear ya spike, but you can bet the reason it's not there is as i said and as you said, social mores

[Brian]

Never leave guessing up to amateurs

I have read in internet articles that drug cartels were among the aspects of the initial game design (including golf courses and spies) that eventually were excluded from the game.  Poptop felt including a "drug" option might "glamorize" the world of drug dealings and wanted instead to emphasize the socio/political aspects of "cold war" era Carribbean in a way that would be pleasing to everyone.

I don't think the drug influence will ever play a part of the game for the same reason Poptop changed the "bordello" into a "cabaret" and a "prostitute" into a "showgirl"... to give the game a little more class while still involving the seedier side of .

However, if drug involvement is an idea for an expansion pack, I think a way to make everyone happy would be if you had a drug operation form independently on the island, without your control as dictator, and then you would be offered two choices.  You can send in your troops to stop the operation immediately... or you can turn you back and accept a monthly "payoff" from the profits.

Eventually, if the drug operation becomes too powerful, you may want to put a stop to it yourself, or seek the aid of USA forces to help "eliminate" the operation.  Not placing it in the hands of you, the dictator, would allow the player to deal with the drug issue without it being under the dictators direct control, it would be more of a "here's a problem, how do you handle it?"

Any thoughts on this?

[enigmaja]

Nintendo just announced today that they are producing an "adult" game for the 64...I'm sure they've done some exhaustive demographic studies of existing and potential markets before making such a dramatic change in marketing philosophy.

PopTop has made the right decisions for the release of Tropico.  But if it does become the success I believe it will be, then they may want to consider an "adult" expansion pack with the features discussed here.

It will be interesting.

enigmaja

[mdlake]

I'd say Brian's suggestion is spot on.  I just want to add that the dilemma intensifies if:

1) the very act of moving against the drug cartels could directly trigger your
    overthrow, since the cartel will no doubt build an extensive network of
    bribed figures in several factions, and would be able to back up their
    desires with arms
2) the economic benefits of tacitly accepting a drug industry decline over time,
    both for your Swiss bank account and for the island as a whole as the cartels
    become more self-sufficient and bolder about operating on your turf.

Drugs could really become a deal with the devil: a swell jumpstart for your economy, but quite possibly the greatest threat of all to your rule.

[Me]

Poptop felt including a "drug" option might "glamorize" the world of drug dealings and wanted instead to emphasize the socio/political aspects of "cold war" era Carribbean in a way that would be pleasing to everyone.

that's what i said an hour ago.  

poptop has said they probably would not do a sequel so i don't know if they'll do an expansion.  i think they made the right decision about drugs. once you start playing the game as designed, the thoughts of swooping down on noriega in attack helicopters will seem ludicrous..

[Brian]

that's what i said an hour ago.

It's also what PopTop said in an on-line interview I read (I think through Gamespot.com but I can't find the link anymore ).  Sorry if you thought I was trying to take away from what you said.  I was just agreeing with you.

[Me]

hey no problem brian, i wasn't trying to be a wise a-ss either

[Spike]

Yes, you were.

I can tell by the eyes glazed, grey pallor brought on drug use -- in excess of the government recommended daily limit.

O.K., Me ...  who is me?  Or is it really him?

[CafeDave]

If the scenario editor is as good as I'm hoping it will be, surely this is something that could be programmed into a scenario, especially if it's a one-time choice of turning your back or reacting.  All sorts of actions could be inserted by a creative map designer.  Here's hoping.

[Spike]

DaveG, maybe an independent production of an adult version of Tropico (with all the legalities tended to, with Phil) is something to tackle.

Look at all the scenarios that might be generated, from real life.  And it might create that truckload of cash!

[Mr.P]

Oh man. I don't know what I am waiting for more, Tropico or DaveG's map scenario's!

(O.K, I know you need Tropico before you can create a scenario...But you understand what I meant, right?!)

[Brian]

That's right, put your cart before the horse... or is it put the horse before the cart?  What does it matter, you British drive on the wrong side of the road anyway!

DaveG - In case your planning on creating a Tropico scenario making section on the board when the game comes out, can I put my name in now for consideration as a moderator?

[maxim]

DaveG - In case your planning on creating a Tropico scenario making section on the board when the game comes out, can I put my name in now for consideration as a moderator?

Wouldn't that mean the the section would only contain random scenarios?? Beeing the Director of Sometimes Lucky Guesses and all...

[Brian]

Hey, HEY, HEY!  Watch it with the titles there, buddy!  That's General Director of Sometimes Lucky Guesses to you!

Don't make me angry, I have armed and dangerous penquins at my command!

[maxim]

yes massa. sorry massa.

[Mr.P]

Ya money or the dancing penguins geddit!

[Mr.P]

Upper-Class Tourist:



Lower-Class Tourist:



Unhappy Tropican:

[Brian]

YOU GET THOSE PENQUINS OFF THAT HOT STOVE TOP RIGHT NOW OR I'M CALLING PETA!!

Oooo, you went and made a lot of penquins very angry with you, Mr.P... I'm afraid the time will come when you receive the consequences of your actions...

hehehehehe... HEY!  You penquins get out of my car!  I told you you're not going to the movies until you clean your room!!>

[Mr.P]

Whilst I think it is better, from a sales-pitch point of view, that drugs are not included in the game, I'd like it if we could at least change the names of the crops. Even if the actual plants do not look like the real thing.

But who knows what the scenario editor can do....