Certain features on a sector map are potential indicators of the culture of an empire.
Depots. I think Depots indicate a culture of development over research. Of course it also indicates that an empire may have significant enemies, or, barring that, significant paranoia, or perhaps a despotic government.
Xboat Routes. Similarly, Xboat routes by default imply a culture of communication and trade. But those are only indications. An empire may only have clear communication lines without clear major trade routes. Or, alternately, it may have clear major trade routes but non-defined communication routes. So Xboat routes only give hints about the culture.
Research Stations. As Condottiere mentions, Research Stations indicate at least some degree of interest in research - but it doesn't appear to be as strong an indicator as the presence or absence of a Depot.
I was thinking about whether or not the Republic of Regina should have a Depot - I assumed it could, and maybe it should. It then occurred to me that maybe it depends on whether it is threatened by neighbors. Without significant military threats, perhaps its technology is boosted because military spending could emphasize research over a Depot-strength navy.
Consider Darrian. How could such a "tiny" empire achieve TL16, and even borderline TL17? Obviously their culture encouraged secondary research (AM08 says as much). "Culture" would presumably include military spending. And Darrian was hardly oppressed by the Sword Worlders at the time. So: light on fleets, heavy on research.
Now consider the Imperium. You and I and everyone have boggled at its stupidly low progress in technology. Presumably, culture explains it, and the Navy is part of that culture.
Is that enough to explain Depots though? If you have enemies, you have fleets. Hence you have Depots. So maybe it's as simple as that. No enemies = no need for Depots. You still have naval bases, after all.
But I want to tie up the Darrians and the Republic and their cultures of technology, so I consider Depots to be a potential indicator of a divide between research and development.
Depots. I think Depots indicate a culture of development over research. Of course it also indicates that an empire may have significant enemies, or, barring that, significant paranoia, or perhaps a despotic government.
Xboat Routes. Similarly, Xboat routes by default imply a culture of communication and trade. But those are only indications. An empire may only have clear communication lines without clear major trade routes. Or, alternately, it may have clear major trade routes but non-defined communication routes. So Xboat routes only give hints about the culture.
Research Stations. As Condottiere mentions, Research Stations indicate at least some degree of interest in research - but it doesn't appear to be as strong an indicator as the presence or absence of a Depot.
I was thinking about whether or not the Republic of Regina should have a Depot - I assumed it could, and maybe it should. It then occurred to me that maybe it depends on whether it is threatened by neighbors. Without significant military threats, perhaps its technology is boosted because military spending could emphasize research over a Depot-strength navy.
Consider Darrian. How could such a "tiny" empire achieve TL16, and even borderline TL17? Obviously their culture encouraged secondary research (AM08 says as much). "Culture" would presumably include military spending. And Darrian was hardly oppressed by the Sword Worlders at the time. So: light on fleets, heavy on research.
Now consider the Imperium. You and I and everyone have boggled at its stupidly low progress in technology. Presumably, culture explains it, and the Navy is part of that culture.
Is that enough to explain Depots though? If you have enemies, you have fleets. Hence you have Depots. So maybe it's as simple as that. No enemies = no need for Depots. You still have naval bases, after all.
But I want to tie up the Darrians and the Republic and their cultures of technology, so I consider Depots to be a potential indicator of a divide between research and development.
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