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[Vrky]

Hello all, I'm starting a Tropico 3 Let's Play. Tropico is a game where you play as a dictator in a small Caribbean third-world backwater island.
I'll be playing on max difficulty. Goal is simply to stay in power for 60 years. Additional points awarded for economy, happiness, and ammount of money stolen to private swiss account.
Setting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6zjiDjXqf0
Island of Tropico is a small, terribly impoverished island in Caribbean. It was one of the last remaining Spanish colonies until it gained independence in 1939., during Spanish Civil War. People of Tropico rejoiced, but were soon dissapointed because everything remained the same- Island was essentialy still a feudal backwater, where few rich owned almost all agricultural areas, and rest worked the fields and lived in poverty.
It all escalated with violence in 1947., when various rebel groups launched attacks on several major cities, including the capital city San Augusto. Government response was brutal, and two years of violence destroyed what remained of island's riches. Still, rebellion kept growing, and soon the army was starting to become disloyal as well. Former president Roberto del Santiago resigned in September, 1949., decreeing that free elections are to take place. Day after that he fled to Venezuela, fearing for his future. Who will fill the vacuum of power?

Victor Salinas - Nationalist

Victor Salinas is a leader of Partido National, a nationalist party which is firmly concerned with following:
- Supressing all Communist movements and rebellions
- Developement of strong economy, especially industrial base
- Ending all cooperation with Soviet Union
- Balanced and careful diplomacy with USA, avoiding any military unions which may endanger independence.
Victor himself is former chief of police, very patriotic person but also business-minded, however his overly jingoistic and nationalistic attitude might cost him diplomaticaly.


José "El Professor" Busquets - Liberal

José is leader of Partido Reformista, party concerned with:
- Investments in education and improving literacy
- Preserving liberty and democracy, and freedom of media
- Balancing between free market desires of capitalists and social protection desires by communists
- Strong ties with United States
Jose himself is former professor, a scholarly man and a populist, but unfortunately a coward and very shy.

Hernando Samarez - Communist

Hernando is a leader of communist rebel faction called El Frente Popular (Popular Front). His ideals include:
- Strong ties with Soviet Union, and firmly and unconditionaly resisting US imperialistic tendencies
- Sweeping social reform programme, including land reform, free housing, free healthcare and education
- Cracking down on reactionaries that still support old colonial-feudal system
- Economy based on agriculture and heavy industry
Fernando himself is a former peasant from poor rural family, empatic to sufferings of common man. He also enjoys spending time with chicas calientas and his fiestas are quite 'notorious', so priests and conservatives hate him even more.

Felipe Rodrigo Espiňosa

Felipe is a Tropican general, who, as the former regime crumbled, made up his own plans for future. He planned a military coup, which would undo the reforms that started, cancel elections, and beat back the rebels. His plans include:
- Taking full control of the island by whatever means necessary
- Massive investments in military and secret police
- Gaining massive private fortune
- Balancing foreign relations to remain in power by whatever means necessary
He is capable economist and diplomat, however he is very corrupt person and also cheapskate, which will mean proverty for most of island's population.


So, what happens?

A) Victor Salinas wins the elections
B) José "El Professor" Busquets wins the elections
C) Hernando Samarez storms the capital of San Augusto and takes power
D) Felipe Rodrigo Espiňosa coups the government, cancels elections and beats the guerilla back

[Darvi]

We need to push the liberal agenda!

[10ebbor10]

We need to push the liberal agenda!

[Vrky]

So two votes for liberals so far.
I'm eager to start playing, so there will probably be update tonight.
I think that communist leader is easiest to play, simply because farmer background gives huge (50%) bonus to farm productivity, which is main source of income early on. Espiňosa is probably second easiest, and 'democratic' leaders are bit harder. But we are up for a challenge, of course!

[Vrky]

UPDATE 1

Elections proceeded without interuptions in December 1949., and José "El Professor" Busquets won with a landslide victory. Critics argued that it was only possible because communist rebels harassed all voters in the rural countryside areas, forbidding them to vote for the Nationalist candidate. Indeed, turnout for the elections was under 20%, of which Jose Busquets won over 90% votes. Anyway, in January 1st, 1950. Jose Busquets was inagurated in presidental palace in San Augusto.

The island of Tropico was very poor, and rebelion destroyed almost all infrastructure. There were no hospitals, electricity, schools, even churches and pubs were destroyed. There was only single farm left on island, proucing corn.


Jose decided to invest all money in economy. Ranch was constructed, to feed hungry people, and also provide some exports.
After that, Jose invested in lumber industry, hoping that it would provide quick exports. Farming was also expanded, banana and papaya plantations were built, as they could both improve food quality of Tropicans and provide good income from exports. The treasury was empty soon, and Tropico had to take a loan, which hurt relations with US and USSR a bit.



Terrible news soon came - angry citizens organized a protest!! Full strength of police and military was dispatched to crush this massive...


Apparently, it was only one old crazy hag talking to herself in front of her hovel. Still, José was so terrified by this protest that he signed Social Security edict, providing retired and unemployed some free cash so that they don't starve right away.

Next year, Tropico economy was still in depression, without a single export. Still, some foreign aid came, and with that money a clinic was built. Unfortunately Tropico had no real doctors, but two of the palace soldiers had some first aid experience, so they were put to work in the clinic.


Third year into regime, people were growing restless. Voters felt betrayed because there were still no schools in Tropico. But José knew that Tropico has no money to build them with. Communists complained about lack of housing, claiming that José's policies were benefiting only a selected few who reaped benefits of farming and lumbering. Later that year Tropico made it's first exports, earning 1500$ from Beef exports, and 500$ from surplus corn exports. Lumbermills somehow still didn't earn anything, possibly because of goverment corruption.

So ended three years of "El Professor's" rule. Situation is growing harder every day. There is no money, and there are many pressing problems. Should we invest in housing? In church, to appease religious parts of population, especially our main opossition, Partido Nationalista? Or in entertainment, such as pubs and restaurants? Should we keep our election promise and build a high school, and appease intellectuals? Should we neglect needs of the people, and invest in iron and bauxite mines, as there are some deposits nearby? There are already some complaints about enviroment devastation, and mining would exaggerate this even more. Tourism is also an option, but requires more investment.

[EuchreJack]

Because you get relation bonuses with both the communist and intellectual factions, I wouldn't rate their demands as pressing as the religious faction, so first build a church.

Then, move on to housing, just because housing is always a pain, and the longer you put it off, the worse it gets.

Not sure about the income problem.  More farms maybe?

[NRDL]

Because you get relation bonuses with both the communist and intellectual factions, I wouldn't rate their demands as pressing as the religious faction, so first build a church.

Then, move on to housing, just because housing is always a pain, and the longer you put it off, the worse it gets.

Not sure about the income problem.  More farms maybe?

+1.  And yes, more farms.

[Vrky]

UPDATE 2 - 1953-1956

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmtQgW1H7-s


As the time passed, conditions on the island grew harsher. Still, in January 1953. Tropico experienced it's first immigration wave. Apparently there are places in Caribbean where people live even worse. Immigrants said that they were lured by democracy and stability in Tropico, and by free job positions in logging camps and farms.
In summer 1953., exports grew, and debt was reduced enough that IMF approved new loan to fund building of a church. Also, a pub was built, so that Tropicans could get themselves some lindas chicas.



In January 1954. Tropico was granted foreign aid, ammounting 600$ from US and 2100$ from USSR. USA is slowly losing faith in our government, because of our mounting foreign debt.
Still, in summer 1954. exports kept growing, especially beef and papaya exports. Debt was reduced, but still wasn't payed off.
That money was invested in hiring two foreign priests, so that church could actually work, and invested in expanding cattle ranches. Two tobacco plantations were also constructed, though it will be a few years before they can actually harvest any tobacco.



One of the two doctors on insland, Baltazar Rodriguez, retired, leaving Tropico with a single doctor. And of course, soon...


Hard situation soon soon started a full-blown wave of protests. First there were only small-scale peasant protests in the countryside...


But in 1955. those protest spread and reached the capitol. There were massive demonstrations of workers on the streets of San Augusto.



Even worse news soon followed - a man called Jesus Chavez re-started a rebel movement, continuing where Hernando Samarez left off. Busquets proclaimed that rebel movements won't be tolerated and that Tropican army will respond with force, if need be.

Worth mentioning that in 1955., United States officialy removed Tropico from list of nations that are qualified for foreign aid. They cited that the main reason is that Tropico is heavily indebted and that they aren't keeping up with their loan payments. Busquets complained that this made no sense because huge debt is the only reason why one should recieve foreign aid in the first place. Still, Nationalists quoted this as another failure of Busquets policies.

Through 1955. exports kept growing quite rapidly, which were finally some good news. Logging industry finaly made some profits, at last.



This meant that by the end of 1955. Tropico was no longer in debt. Relations with USA skyrocketed from "cold" to "warm". Soviet Union was also pleased with improved economic responsibility. In January 1956. Tropico recieved 2700$ US foreign aid, and additional 2400$ Soviet foreign aid.



Which direction should Tropico take now? Keeping up with election promises and building high school? Building housing? If we are to build housing, should it be cheaper tenetments or expensive apartments? Should wee build housing on our own, or should we ask for Soviet developement aid, which would cost a bit more initialy, but would halve cost of tenetments and apartments, and that would pay off after third or so apartment?

[EuchreJack]

I like the idea of Soviet development aid, you'll be building residences for the rest of the game, so it's a good idea.  Then start on housing.

You selected "Populist", so why worry about fulfilling election promises?  Besides, you're so intellectual that the only people that really care about the high school will "luv you long time".

So don't worry about that high school until you actually need high school graduates in decent amounts.

Here is my proposed building priority list:
1) Housing (or embassy if it is required for Soviet Development Aid, then housing)
2) Mining
3) Pretty things that make the ecologists not hate you for mining

Further ideas require me to research electricity requirements in Tropico.  Basically, until you either form a military or industry, you don't need a High School.  Although I'd suggest building the High School prior to either of those, as you want Tropico-raised High School students as soon as you have military or factory buildings up.

[NRDL]

I like the idea of Soviet development aid, you'll be building residences for the rest of the game, so it's a good idea.  Then start on housing.

You selected "Populist", so why worry about fulfilling election promises?  Besides, you're so intellectual that the only people that really care about the high school will "luv you long time".

So don't worry about that high school until you actually need high school graduates in decent amounts.

Here is my proposed building priority list:
1) Housing (or embassy if it is required for Soviet Development Aid, then housing)
2) Mining
3) Pretty things that make the ecologists not hate you for mining

Further ideas require me to research electricity requirements in Tropico.  Basically, until you either form a military or industry, you don't need a High School.  Although I'd suggest building the High School prior to either of those, as you want Tropico-raised High School students as soon as you have military or factory buildings up.

+1

[FritzPL]

Soviet liberal man Jack speaks truth.

+1

[Vrky]

UPDATE 3 - 1956.-1960.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdP1-EhMPlw

In January 1956., people of Tropico decided that they are ready for elections. Busquets had no option but to accept the request, being liberal and all, so elections were scheduled for January 1957.

Leader of opposition was Evita Colon, again an old hag, but somehow she was able to gain enough support to take leadership of Partido Nationalista. She was strong supporter of the military, nationalism, clericalism, and everything we stood against.


Busquets responded with promising to aid poorest with housing, praising at the same spirit and will of the intellectuals. He also pointed out that economy was growing steadily, and that he brought stability and end to civil war after all.

Embassy was built next to the palace, and soviet developement aid was agreed. Construction of two tenetments was commisioned immediately. To help dealing with worsening medical situation, one additional doctor was hired from abroad.

Economy was still improving, with generous foreign aid, and first tobacco exports kicking in.


In January 1957., pools were opened and results were in. Busquets got two thirds of the votes. Even though people were growing impatient with slow reforms, they still felt that Busquets was better deal than Nationalists. Still, number of problems was noted, including complaining about poor position of church in society, too small military, and bad healthcare situation.

After elections, a construction of Iron mine started, and was finished by end of 1957. Another tobacco plantation was also constructed, as it was proved that tobacco exports are quite profitable, and that there was possibility of expanding industry further into cigar making.


Exports grew further in 1958., especially tobacco and beef, with timber, papaya and banana making good profits as well.


And finaly, in May 1958. a High school was finished. It took eight and a half years, but the promise was kept. Additionaly, a widespread literacy program was started, and intellectuals had a reason to celebrate. Also, productivity was expected to raise as education improved steadiliy.

Begining of 1959. was a boiling point for Busquets government as waves of protests swept Tropico. What first started as small protests of laborers complaining about living conditions in suburban slums...

...continued as more widespread protests of urban poor citizens, coordinated by conservative priest agitators...

...and finally culumnated in massive protests that engulfed vast rural areas.


Busquets responded with increasing salaries of all uneducated workers, which was over 90% of population, by 40%, from 5$ a month to 7$. Wages of more educated laborers were increased as well, although not as much. This satisfied protesters and stopped protests for a while.

More residental buildings were constructed as well, and those new buildings were of higher quality than previous tenetments.


Still, many problems remained, including lack of church support, bad shape of healthcare system, and even housing programme was still a long way from being complete

[FritzPL]

Church, health, housing, military. In that order.

[EuchreJack]

Church, health, housing, military. In that order.

+1

Father FritzPL speaks the truth.

[NRDL]

Yes, appease the church.  But don't make them too influential.