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OK what who huh?
All cities have a city radius and extend the national borders. The city radius delineates the limits within which certain structures, such as oil refineries and granaries may be built. The national borders indicate how far fortresses, mining camps and other cities may be built. In general, it’s economically sound to build cities as far apart as possible but this makes defending them difficult. A large distance between cities increases income from trade caravans, and allows the player larger national borders in which he can harvest resources. However, reinforcements from barracks and stables may be a long time in coming, since players do tend to build military structures near cities out of habit.
![Rise of Nations Preview [ Researchorama @ 1024 x 768 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/07-s.jpg) Researchorama
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![Rise of Nations Preview [ My colonies expand @ 1024 x 768 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/08-s.jpg) My colonies expand
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![Rise of Nations Preview [ Need to build universities @ 1024 x 768 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/09-s.jpg) Need to build universities
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The player can also build only as many cities as he has researched tech levels of Civics. Civics, along with Military, Commerce and Science comprises the four major techs researched at libraries. Civilization ages are researched as well, but in order to advance the player must have researched at least two tech levels from the age he is trying to advance to.
Production fun
Resources are inexhaustible and only a certain number of workers can be employed at any given logging or mining camp. Their production is increased through building upgrade structures, and researching upgrades at those structures. A Lumber Mill or Smelter automatically improves wood and mining by 50%, but it’s the technologies that give the real bonuses.
There is a strict limit on maximum production with every level of commerce technology. After that level, the extra product is wasted. Wonders of the world can increase the limit but are expensive to build.
![Rise of Nations Preview [ Not again! @ 1024 x 768 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/10-s.jpg) Not again!
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![Rise of Nations Preview [ At least I'm armed this time @ 1024 x 768 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/11-s.jpg) At least I'm armed this time
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![Rise of Nations Preview [ ph34r the chinese hordes @ 1024 x 768 ] > View Full-Size in another window.](images/12-s.jpg) ph34r the chinese hordes
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Certain resources tend to be the limits in certain ages. ‘Books’ and food are very limiting early on, then the focus switches to wood and steel, and finally oil. Throughout the whole game it is always too easy to run out of wealth, the rarest resource. The marketplace is a great way to exchange commodities for wealth or vice-versa, though rare are the times when a player has the wealth to buy extra oil when he needs it.