Trying to understand the SMR style of play

[MarkShot]

I played a couple of SMR games this week. I also played a couple of RTD games as well.

I must admit that I just don't have the feel for what the style of play is in SMR; especially when compared to RTD.

In RTD playing at Tycoon, I am trying to do a number of things:

(1) Maximize the profits of my RR through well timed expansion, borrowing, and improvements.

(2) Slowing growth of competitors by buying their stock forcing them to borrow to buy their own stock. This debt creates financial friction against their growth.

(3) Staking a territory on the map and defending it.

(4) Fight competitors either via take overs or rate wars.

SMR would seem to have a very different style of play:

(1) The game does not seem territorial. Multiple players can build stations in cities. Also, you can cross opponent's tracks.

(2) Although you can force AI players to buy their own stock and prevent them from reinvesting in growth, this does not seem to create as much friction, since this is a one time financial hit as opposed to the continuous drain of paying interest.

(3) Take overs seem much easier to achieve. Since there is no bond market, neither the player nor the target company incurs any debt in the lead up to a take over. In RTD, a take over can saddle the player with so much bond debt that both his/her RR and the controlled RR are on their road to bankruptcy.

(4) Are there investors in SMR? In RTD, the investors will kick you out of office if you don't hold 60% stock or generate capital growth.

(5) Competitors are tougher in RTD as they may be driven into bankruptcy and then they effectively respawn. It seems in SMR the competitors in the game a fixed at start. Is that correct? Can the AI's go bankrupt and respawn?

(6) SMR offers goals similar to RT3 and unlike RTD. I understand them as another path to victory.

(7) SMR like RTD offers take over of competitor victory (last man standing) and job title victory.

So, if it does not seem too stupid of a question, what exactly is the style of play for SMR?

Thanks.

[Star Ranger4]

In general, the focus of the game is to build YOUR empire as quickly and economically as possible. The economic focus is primarily on hauling goods, hence a very simplified stock schema. For most of us, especially in single player modes, the main focus is the goals first, then buying out any AI competitors we may be facing, though you do have to take steps early to be in a good position for it later.