On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 10:39 PM David Johnson <xxxxxx@zarthani.net> wrote:
Tom B <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:

What do you think? What factors impact Starport size in various iterations? What isn't accounted that ought to be (UPP values or Trade Codes)?

I think it's just population.  A starport is both a trading centre ~and~ an industrial centre.  (Indeed, one might argue that the way starports were originally described, with references only to starship/spaceship construction and to fuel refining capability, they were ~primarily~ industrial facilities.)  And while trading centres, as others have noted, might not have lots of people, industrial centres will.


The game's original rules on trade were all about small itinerant trader aspects - maybe here is another place where that lens limited what was discussed. Or not. Hence more than one view of the OTU.

 
Sure, there might be the occasional hi-pop world without a Class A starport, it's a "developing world," exporting raw materials and importing industrial goods (think Lagos or Sao Paulo).  And if it's a world with a Class A starport but with a tech level that can't produce starships, the starport was built and is operated by off-world interests (think Dubai or Colombo).

Reasonable, but if they have built a high end starport somewhere with a low pop, it won't likely be a major industrial situation (unless you want to dip into the 'but maybe the raw materials come from other parts of the system' which could be...). It might well just be a good port next to resorts or living areas (or recreational areas) for the uber rich and decadently wealthy.

One case where you could have a good starport on a low utility (low pop or otherwise not so interesting) planet is that it is located between two other big/prominent/populated/good port systems and the port we are envisioning is one build to handle ship repairs and good quality food and amenities *as a stop over* on the way between these other two prominent planets - maybe also for transhipping. A lot of trade may pass through her but virtually none go to the world the port is built on.

Your cases are certainly examples of what could happen. That's why the generation and the description tools/formats need to capture a diverse range of outcomes.

I guess from the respondents here that people don't necessarily associate a Type A port with high pop/high trade volume necessarily, or a D with low pop/low trade volume necessarily.

 

Cheers,

David
--
Victoria, British Columbia
48° 25' N, 123° 21' W


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