[PsychoTechFreak]

I have got a trade and research alliance with the Space Vikings (AI controlled), usually they accept every trade, the basic techs are no problem to get, e.g. physics 1 for 40,000 minerals.

1) I have got Physics 1, for Physics 2 I would need 100,000 RPs. The AI has got Physics level 1, too.
Give has been: 100,000 minerals; Want has been: Physics, Physics
Answer: We accept your generous offer.
Transfer: 100,000 minerals, got: Physics 1, Physics 1 (worthless)

That means, if the AI has got the same Tech level, your Give-Package is transferred and you get nothing of worth.

After that I have controlled the AI to research Physics 2, then:

2) Give has been: 200,000 minerals; Want has been: Physics
Answer: By Odin, we like what you offer. We must decline for now, but I think it is time that we loot your planets.
Transfer: nothing.

Funny, they decline although they would get 200,000 for the price of 100,000 and they usually accept at 80%.

Then I have turned of the Vikings politics minister, to manually control the trade.

3) Give has been: 200,000 minerals; Want has been: Physics
I manually forced the Vikings to accept, to see what I would get:
Transfer: 200,000 minerals and I finally have got Physics 2 !

I have tested this with several other AIs also (military alliances), same result.
Ok, good news is, in a multiplayer game the trades would be possible, just the AIs would always decline Tech trades of the higher levels.

EDIT: Ah, now I understand capnq's post, if I want physics 3 and I am on physics 1 then I would have to enter:

Physics
Physics

Tricky. I will check that next time.

[ 02 March 2002: Message edited by: PsychoTechFreak ]