ahem, ...
"I think that the player should have an option to use the upgrades or not. Faction wide upgrades will force the negative aspects /empire maintenance/ recruitment costs upon the player"
ok..."will force the negative aspects...upon player "
out of a logical situation, (weapon cost money ...)
so, more advanced and bonuses = more costs
as opposed to "empire maintenance" that is back stabbing the player based on a theoretical situation (corruption) but with no palpable in game evidence...
emp. maint. should be there but reduced ( for players that don't want better armor/etc) and crippling if player wants state of the art weapons/etc...imho
Then we know why is so much cash lost = oh those weapons , right...
"From my point of view an additional village type is necessary for trade only and no upgrades. The unit upgrade iron/copper villages should not generate many trading goods"
A agree entirely !
"