Additional Info
Hard drive space
Full download: 0.58 GB
Initial download: 0.57 GB
Download time
| Kb/s | 20 MB | 8 MB | 512 KB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 3mn | 8mn | 2h 08mn |
System Requirements
- Operating System: 2000/XP,
currently Vista testing - Processor: 233MHz
- OS: Windows
- Video RAM: 4MB
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 Ascaron Entertainment GmbH, and/or Ascaron Entertainment (UK) Ltd.
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Overview
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Instructions & Tips
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Screenshots & Video
Basics
The third installment of the Patrician series isn't precisely a true sequel -- it's more of a huge polish and feature-add to Patrician II. The series is a giant of real-time business management, a favorite of simulation fans who adore complex economies, rich micromanagement, medieval history and a fair amount of backstabbing. With new campaign missions and many under-the-hood improvements, Patrician III is the series gold standard, and worth the attention of any simulation buff.
Tutorials
Patrician III includes tutorials that will introduce the menu-driven controls, along with basics of succeeding as a medieval CEO. It's a complicated game, with many subtleties the tutorials can't cover; the good news is that early missions encourage experimentation, and there are many ways to succeed. Patrician III's powerful automation and management tools allow you to keep your trade empire running even in real time, while your attention is focused on building the business.
Trading
The heart of Patrician III is the trade-based economy of Medieval Europe. In the simplest terms: buy low and sell high, improving your bottom line at the expense of your foes. Set up trade routes over land and sea, and buy or manufacture trade goods to exchange for cold hard cash in distant lands. Then you use the money you make to further expand your business ventures. Eventually you'll be a massively diversified corporation in control of vast resources...or you'll be broke and possibly dead.
Land and Sea Routes
You can send goods in merchant fleets or trader caravans. Generally, the farther away your destination, the more you'll make for the goods you sell there. But with bandits lurking on every road and pirates dominating the seas, trading is not without its dangers. Early on, when money is tight, you'll want to keep your routes short and stick with well-defended public convoys to stay safe. A major loss early on will cripple your business, so caution is your watchword at the outset.
Prestige
Money buys more than just factories, goods and ships. As a member of the Hanseatic League, you're also expected to be a model citizen, a philanthropist who improves his hometown and aids in the expansion of the League's economic dominance. This will increase your personal influence, leading to promotions within the League...with the ultimate goal of becoming an exalted Patrician, a merchant majesty. Contributing public buildings and serving local governments is hugely expensive, but it pays off.
Tip: Late Campaign Missions
One of Patrician III's big improvements is the inclusion of a few new missions at the end of the game. By this point, you'll be monstrously wealthy, and in control of a wide, diversified business...meaning that you'll be asked to undertake immense tasks like founding new cities or overthrowing inconvenient nations.
Tip: Dynamic Economy
Keep an eye on the price of goods. The value of items will change based on supply and demand, so a savvy merchant will seek out routes leading to locales that are in desperate need of something that's comparatively cheap for you to buy or manufacture. Don't flood markets, though, or prices will fall fast.
Tip: Ahoy, Captain
You can visit the town pub by the marina in each city and hire salty sea captains who'll command your merchant fleets and battle pirates, storms and scurvy on your behalf.
Tip: Automation
You can hire managers to oversee parts of your business, essentially keeping things running while you focus on expansion or other pursuits. Patrician III also allows you to build and save customized, multi-point trade routes that'll run automatically -- a great way to keep money flowing in without micromanaging an established route.
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