Gamespot Q & A

[Sir Beane]

Go here for a question and answer interview with CA.

Credit to bloodshed for finding this!

There's a lot of good info about the way trade and economy work in the game.

In addition to this, we've introduced trade theatres. These are sea regions that are located in various areas of the globe including the East Indies and the Ivory Coast. These regions are rich in tradable resources and can be controlled by placing merchant fleets on trading outposts. The more merchant ships you have active on these outposts, the more profit you glean from them. Of course, these routes and regions are also subject to raiding, and there can be fierce rivalry over the monopoly of trading posts across the theatres. This provides an excellent springboard for naval engagements throughout the campaign.

There's also a mention of pirates! Arrr!

Commerce-raiding a rival nation's trade routes on land and sea is a very effective strategy to boost your own coffers, whilst inflicting hefty damage to an enemy's economy. So yes, players will have every opportunity to construct fleets specifically for naval piracy.

Similarly, pirates are a faction in the game in their own right, and they will attack and plunder the trade routes that they come across, including those of the player, throughout the campaign. You can stamp them out, but lawlessness in certain regions can see them reemerge.

Sounds like good stuff!