Expanding your island

[mdlake]

I think at least some of the people would be annoyed if you changed society focus.

Almost certainly, and I think I can even guess the mechanic for it.  In addition to whatever faction is irked by any given policy, a change in your economic base will displace workers.  If you begin by encouraging plenty of farming and industry, many citizens will be happy with their old jobs--somewhere there's the news that workers grow increasingly content in whatever job they have--and resent being squeezed out of a profession as government underwriting of that profession dwindles.  Beware rapid policy shifts

[Zerone13]

I believe the radio/tv/newspaper on your island will have a "generalized" impact on your population, since you (as dictator) determine what is broadcast or printed.  This may or may not be a poweful tool depending on how you choose to rule the island.  For instance, if you choose for your radio station to play only religious broadcasts, but you build a lot of nightclubs, someone is going to realize that you dont' stand behind relgion 100% and start throwing rocks at your palace.  

Unfortunately (depending on your point of view) you (the dictator) are soley responsible for EVERYTHING that happens on the island.  So if you give the church a lot of money and your army finds out and gets angry, they're going to get angry at you - not the church.  I think that's how the gameplay is going to work, so there won't be too much "playing one against the other".  Thought I agree with you Delphia, that would be fun!

Wow, does any of this make any sense?

[maxim]

wow, everyone against you Brian, huh? Maybe you should choose the "paranoid flaw" for your dictator

Good point, btw.

[General Sanchez]

spaeking of newspapers & radio...
I wonder how their position affects thei efficiency: on the screenshots we always see the radio station on some hill. does altitude change it's broadcasting quality? Or did they put it there so it looks nice?

Gen. Sanchez.

[Zerone13]

My thoughts were of a similar nature, but I was also wondering if radio stations and newspapers were like the bars on your island... can you "isolate" them to certain areas.  Can one radio station play religious programs while another plays... er... country (I don't know what all the options are yet), so that they can please the residents who live around them.  Or does one radio station serve the whole island, regardless of the islands size or the location of the station?

[robbo]

you can set different programming at different stations

[Zerone13]

Thanks for the info, Robbo.  I just wonder if there's a benefit to having multiple radio stations playing various programming?  Do people have to live near  a specific one to receive the benefits of the shows, or do all your stations service your entire island?

Ohhh, my brain hurts!

[Delphiakid]

If anything, the multiple radio stations will give the people variety. I think that we (as dictators) will have to watch where we put the radio station(s) however, because of Rebel attacks.  ie, could the rebels storm a station, and alter its programming, thus reaching the people?

[Zerone13]

I've seen screenshots of rebels attacking a radio station, but I think it's merely to quiet any pro-dictator propoganda.  However, it would be really cool if they could "overtake" the station and preach the "truth" to the masses.

[Bulletsponge]

I heard they would gain support if they took over the radio or tv station, so they must be able to brodcast pro-rebel messages.

[Delphiakid]

In that case, one should likely put at least a command post near their radio station(s).
Especially, if they are not the nicest dictator in the world (but, then again when has a dictator ever been considered "a nice guy").
Especially with my excessive manipulation attempts.

[Spike]

Put the Radio Stations, Printing Presses, etc. INSIDE the army camp!  

[Delphiakid]

What, and make it look like it is not a democracy. My people need to think it is free media.

[Zerone13]

That's the ticket Delphia!  Let them think one thing, but do another!

You'll make a fabulous ruler for your island!

[Kendahlj]

Great thread....

To answer the intitial question, size of the island does affect difficulty, but I am pretty sure that it isn't size alone.  My guess is that the size is calculated with the other variables (vegetation, elevation, water coverage, population and mineral coverage.)  My guess is that the smaller the island, the harder it would be to play...

My second speculation is that multiple radio stations playing different stuff would have a positive affect.  Anything that allows your population choices is good, at least from what I understand.  One screenshot shows Liberty and Democracy Expectations are a part of the game.

[CowOnCrack]

Lol. Ya, what would you do if there was only one radio station and it was called 24/7 Polka. *screams in fear* and the only CD or MP3 you could get was Barney and the Tellitubbies greatest hits! *screams in absolute terror*

[Zerone13]

No polka, thank you!  But I wonder if the radio stations will let you select different styles of music, in addition to propoganda and religious broadcasts?

[CowOnCrack]

Also, I wonder how buildings will affect your Tropicans happiness, or aura. I will put police stations, posh hotels, and restaurants in the residential areas, so the workers come home from a crummy day at work thinking "Wow. Maybe my abuse in the slave mines was just a mistake because I live in a safe neighborhood that has class and style. It is my work's fault for my hard life, while CoC is doing everything he can to help me live well."
All the while I am ordering harsh treatment in the slave mines, but I won't get revolted against because of what they think.
Muwahahahahaaa.

[Spike]

Deep ... like a mine shaft.
Speaking as one sponsoring the Miner, I want Buffet music in the mines to raise my spirits, as I sweat and drool.
Hope the reception is clear.

[CowOnCrack]

Same.

[Coconut Kid]

... I am wondering how easy it will be to influence your Tropicans to spread across the island.  Is the expansion a slow crawl, or can you somehow persuade Tropicans to go to the opposite side of the island and create a new village/town?
What do you think?

What I now know is that the designers intend concentric growth from the initial Port. The speed of that growth is dependent on your gameplay skills. You can bend the circle of growth to add another Port on another side of the island, but you can not jump hell-and-gone across the island -- at least with any efficiency.

One thing is for certain -- no matter the technique (leap frog, string town, etc.), trying to reach out beyond the capabiliites of the construction Laborers to walk to work more than 100 tiles is a self-defeating project that soon runs out of steam.

Also a self-defeating project is trying to cover a large island with wall to wall buildings within a maximum time frame of eighty years (dictators don't live forever). Leave a big area in pristine jungle and the Environmentalists will be happy.