ABSTRACT
Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources. This chapter examines a variety of mechanisms that derive from manipulating resources and other sources of value. Markets are a specialized form of Exchanging, as players are typically exchanging stocks or commodities for money, all of which are resources. However, there are some specific considerations for this implementation, particularly around changing prices. Market systems create a lot of player interaction, as players may attempt to manipulate the price to their advantage or deprive their opponent the ability to gain needed resources. In pure Negotiation games, agreements to cooperate are informal and can be made or broken at will. This mechanism differs in that there is a formal step to enter into and leave an Alliance, and the game rules specify how the Alliance operates. In many rail games, including Empire Builder, Railway Rivals, and Rail Baron, players may use tracks built by other players for a fixed cost.
