Do we need to research infrastructure before we prototype it? If so, is it possible to retrofit existing non-infrastructure technology (eg, steam subs) into infrastructure without research?
Prototyping production (stuff or infa) is just an elevated cost for the first time you use a tech you have already researched. Prototyping is not research in it of itself.
Infrastructure is a plan for building or systemic application of tech you already have. It does not take research to acquire that plan unless it includes tech you don't already have. The actual effects of an infrastructure project are subjective, and I may or may not assign a roll for it depending on my interpretations.
Whether an infrastructure is a prototype or normal production is just if the same infrastructure exists elsewhere on the planet already. The first time you, say, build a dedicated fleet of trade subs for a house, that will be a prototype. If another house then builds it again (or, contracts house titan to build another fleet for them) it will just cost the normal amount. Infra projects may have different effects depending on the ring they are built on. For example, trade subs wouldn't provide much of an effect if build on the third ring. :p
Ifra projects must belong to a single house at any given time. Your trade fleet would be entirely under the command of a single house and they alone would reap all benefits, unless another separate fleet is built for the other house. Think of this as a limitation of a single authority they must answer to.
This doesn't mean you cant share infrastructure. Remember,
You can trade anything that you own at the end of the turn so you could pass command of the fleet (and the benefits it brings) back and fourth, but its up to you to work out the terms and conditions for that amongst yourselves.
What is the point of declaring oneself for one of the houses? Other than being a ruler, of course.
You get to vote on what actions that House takes. Basically like declaring for a team in a normal Arms Race.
Thank you Glass.
Trade submarines are likely a minor research, more or bigger factories is likely a standard build infrastructure, and I suspect a neutral nexus city would be prototype infrastructure? It may also not really be accessible to House Titan. One idea it gives me, though, is the potential to make “artificial bubbles” suspended within the water layer, and which would allow easier transport between the first ring and those above it (and may result in an, uh, one-and-a-halfth ring?).
Correct on the first count. You are just repurposing tech you already have in this case. Minor tech revision.
More or bigger factories would need to be more specific. How are you going to make them bigger? Where are you going to build more at? Your world has already industrialized, there's no low hanging fruit here. If you are going to use new tech to achieve this you'll need the tech first, and then it will be a prototype infrastructure to build since you are making something new.
I'm open to considering creative solutions here that don't use new tech, but you'll need to justify it somehow and I reserve the right to make it a roll if I'm not entirely convinced.