Like Total Annihilation , resources are measured by a net collection rate, either positive or negative, with every unit and building causing a drain of a few specific resources every minute. But unlike every other game I've seen, none of the resources available require an outside source. By simply building the proper enhancement in a town you can begin to generate more wood, stone, iron, mana, and gold. Gone are the stone throwing villager battles many games devolve into once all the maps resources have been collected. Even building buildings has been simplified.
Construction is limited to a single town building as the primary construction.
Much like games such as Civilization , towns are upgraded with buildings from within. And just because you've filled all the building slots available, your town upgrade choices don't end. Many building additions themselves can be upgraded as well. Making these upgrades involves added strategy and trying to balance resource flow with your needs. A sawmill can be upgraded to increase its output, or be converted to a wood export house which instead drains your wood resources converting them to gold.