Flashing stuff in settlement details screen.

[N3rull]

Okay, I'm fed up with being unable to identify wthf that flashing icons mean.

Sometimes the flashes mean that something is going to disappear next round. For instance, if you have 50% unrest in a conquered city and plant a spy inside, you may throw an enemy spy out. Then the details screen will show (e.g.) 15% unrest and 35% flashing, which would disappear the next turn.
Ok, but...

The other day one of my bigger cities' details screen said the city's trade income is 3500, but 2200 of it was flashing. I thought it was because I started a war with a neighbour and it means that the income would be lost next round. However, the next turn and the next 5 consecutive turns showed the same flashing digits, changing slightly. I had no port blockade or rebels blocking roads and no governor or King with -60% trade income either.

So:

Is there anyone around who has the knowledge (not just theories) and can tell *exactly* why things flash on the settlement's details screen?
I'd be grateful for info.
Thanks in advance.

[miccofl]

Been trying to figure that out in this thread: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=149877 well that and a few other things.

The flashing stuff is caused by the calculated bonus for adding new buildings. But since most buildings take more then one turn to complete it's a bit misleading.

[N3rull]

Effect of buildings that are yet to be completed is shown by faded icons, but not flashing ones. Click on any town, enter the details screen and look at the, for instance, pop growth chart. Then order the construction of a farm upgrade. You'll see a faded +0.5% due to "farm upgrades" pop up. It will not flash.

Anyone else?

[miccofl]

Interesting point but what I am seeing is faded on the turn construction begins, then on the following turns it goes to flashing until it gets to the last turn of construction when it goes to faded again.

[N3rull]

Ok, I see.
Now that's retarded.

[miccofl]

Such a harsh word "retarded." I think of it more as a lack of understanding of the intelligence of the people who play the game on the part of the creators. They, as is the case of most game makers, tragically underestimate the intelligence level of their intended customers. They assume that because it is they, creating things, their "audience" must be of a lesser level of thought than they are (don't get me wrong, there are those on all games that realize this but few in the upper echelons believe them) and as a result we get the standard sub-standard manual and wind up frustrated over such things.

Or perhaps they just do it to stimulate the minds of those who would be stimulated...

[MyNameIsGreat]

So the flashing icons are actually good? I always assumed grayed-out icons were predicted benefits while flashing ones were benefits to be lost next turn.
Another very confusing TW feature.

I'm also confused about the numbers on the icons. For instance, if I'm adding a farm, I'll check to see how much money I'll be making. The gray icon shows the number 250, while the other farming icons show 150. Does that mean I will gain 250 through farming, for a total of 400, or will my total be 250 (the new farm yields 100)??

So confusing! :hmmm:

[miccofl]

So the flashing icons are actually good? I always assumed grayed-out icons were predicted benefits while flashing ones were benefits to be lost next turn.

Ok, they are not necessarily good. If it is farming, mining, trade or admin they are good and on the top line; if they are on the bottom line - devastation, corruption then they are not good. In any case, if they are flashing (as far as I can tell thus far) they do not affect the next turn, when they are grayed (unless just started) they will affect the next turn. Sorry, this is something we are just getting started into looking into and it will take a few turns to sort it out (we manage about a turn every 4 days.)

I'm also confused about the numbers on the icons. For instance, if I'm adding a farm, I'll check to see how much money I'll be making. The gray icon shows the number 250, while the other farming icons show 150. Does that mean I will gain 250 through farming, for a total of 400, or will my total be 250 (the new farm yields 100)??

So confusing! :hmmm:

Yes it is. If it is grayed on the turn before the improvement is finished that is the amount you should (should meaning I haven't confirmed this yet, check back in a few days and I will one way or the other) get on the next turn.

[Korlon]

In Rome Total War, I've noticed that you can have the flashing icons sometimes even if you aren't building anything that improves trade. And then you will notice that little stack of rebels on the road. Kill them off, and the flashing icons disappear. Main, those guys steal so much of my money even if it's a unit of peasants.