Starting Strategy?

[Nef]

Haven't really played much since before Steam, but trying to gt a view on how overall strategy works.

Looks like farming's usually the safest bet, but cities will build anything you don't? Is there any way to shut them down through out-competing, or do you literally have to buy them out?

Bit worried about the towns burning out all the resource nodes before I can get higher-level industry started.

[Cougarific]

Starting from the bottom-up:

Originally posted by ClipClopBoom:

Bit worried about the towns burning out all the resource nodes before I can get higher-level industry started.

You do have to buy them but should *not* have to worry about them exhausting the resources before you can do that.

If you'd prefer to have infinite raw resources, you can change that in the Options when you start a new game.

Farming or Mining alone will never turn enough of a profit to allow you to expand quickly. You have to set your sights on higher Tier products right from the start.

Sell overflow produce & raw materials at the Farmer's Market/Hardware Store/etc. for a few pennies profit, but most of that stuff should be going immediately to higher-Tier stuff that's demanded in town.

If you want to watch, this video is starting to show its age (there have been many early access additions since this was made) but the underlying guidance is still viable:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1427575705

[Bertie]

Originally posted by Cougarific:

Farming or Mining alone will never turn enough of a profit to allow you to expand quickly. You have to set your sights on higher Tier products right from the start.

Farming will - going for higher tier products from the start is a bad idea as you're very limited by the low demand for the 1 or 2 towns that will want them initially. Not to mention the cash you have to spend on buildings and research in order to get them going.

Try this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKuMTv0KXE0

[Cougarific]

Well, to each his own - I go for the industrial stuff right away for the bigger profit margins. I see farming as a buffer providing small, steady profits while my industry gets up to speed.

If Rise of Farming works for you, more power to you!

[Bertie]

Originally posted by Cougarific:

Well, to each his own - I go for the industrial stuff right away for the bigger profit margins. I see farming as a buffer providing small, steady profits while my industry gets up to speed.

Next time you're playing can you post a screenshot showing your setup / finance panel? I'm intrigued as to how this would be the case in the early game.

[Cougarific]

Early game I'm making about the same as you're making here with 2 mines (Iron Ore and Coal), 1 water siphon, one air scrubber and 3 smelters turning out Steel Plates and Cans.

You've got 2 water siphons and 3 farms - so your initial outlay is lower and transit costs are lower (because I'm moving - but not selling - the Ore and Coal, and the water for pollution control).

My start also relies on having Coal and Iron Ore in your starting region - which is rare.

Farms can start anywhere.

But that's what makes RoI greatly replayable - there's no "One Right Way" to play - everybody can find their own paths to profitability.

I've done big farming setups and those work fine (especially in the early game as you demonstrate), I just get more enjoyment out of producing construction-oriented stuff vs. farm products.

I've also started out with textiles which is kinda the worst of both worlds - you need farms *and* factories to get rolling. Beyond that I just find the idea of clothing manufacturing kinda yawn-inducing compared to some of the hardware and tech-oriented stuff.

Bottom line, when beginners ask for help starting out in Rise of Industry, I'm gonna point them toward an industrial start instead of a farming start 'cause that's how I like to play. Doesn't mean other approaches aren't viable - as I said, to each his own!

[Bertie]

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree (partially) - I'm fully with you that industry is more fun than farming and it's the way I prefer to play, but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner. Like you say, each to their own!