Epoch VI · 2000–2008
Globalisation
The turn of the millennium: a unipolar order, globalisation at its peak, commodities and financial markets booming. This is where the main campaign begins – with real start data.
historical
Interface: Situation room with early flat screens, sober government look
Defining mechanics
Free trade and enlargement
- Free trade and economic areas. Introduction of the euro, EU and NATO enlargement; customs unions merge internal markets.
- Commodity and financial boom. Financial markets expand – and build up the debt from which a banking crisis may later grow.
- Internet boom. Broadband internet, mobile internet and online banking change economy and administration.
- Asymmetric conflicts. Network-centric warfare, expeditionary warfare and counter-insurgency shape the doctrines.
Resources & goods
- Crude oil as the key resource for fuel and chemicals
- Natural gas grows – pipelines become geopolitics
- Coal important for power and steel
- Uranium for nuclear power and nuclear weapons
Diplomacy
Free trade and customs agreements, alliances and accession processes. The start scenario already contains templates for the United Nations, a transatlantic military alliance, a European union with a currency union and regional alliances.
Interface
Situation room with early flat screens, sober government look: gold on dark blue, glass with corner brackets.
Research
48 technologies of this epoch
By historical year from the game data of the current build, grouped by branch.
Space
Finance
- Online Banking 2001
- Electronic Trading 2003
- Structured Finance 2004
- Microfinance 2006
Air Forces
- Precision Air Munitions 2001
- Armed Drones 2002
- Fifth-Generation Fighters 2005
- AESA Radar 2006
- Long-Range Air Defence 2007
Electronics and AI
- Broadband Internet 2002
- Mobile Broadband (3G) 2004
- Flat-Panel Displays 2005
- Immersion Lithography 2006
- GPU Computing 2007
- Smartphones and Cloud 2007
Land Forces
- Thermal Imaging Sights 2002
- Network-Centric Warfare 2003
- Modern Infantry Equipment 2004
- Precision-Guided Artillery 2005
- Counter-Insurgency Doctrine 2006
- MRAP Protection 2007
Medicine
- Genomics 2003
- Biologics 2005
- Electronic Health Records 2008
Agriculture
Industry
- Hybrid Drivetrain 2003
- Composite Materials 2004
- Cement Co-processing 2005
- Mining Automation 2008
Energy
- Deepwater Drilling 2004
- Multi-Megawatt Wind Turbines 2004
- Biofuels 2005
- Generation III Reactors 2006
- LNG Shipping 2006
- Ultra-Supercritical Coal 2006
- Hydraulic Fracturing 2008
Naval Forces
Administration
- E-Government 2005
- Biometric Passports 2006