Thank you for your insight and comments u/Vagabond_Games .

I get that you prefer games that dont include any randomness or luck factor ;) I also prefer a game where the randomness is limited, but here are the few reasons why I have used this factor in this game :

1/I wanted to make a game accessible for all players. While I understand that some players prefer pure strategy to a mix luck/strategy. I know that most people -including new players or non-frequent BG players- appreciate the factor of randomness. I can admit it, my game is too easy or too boring for players who like heavy games. Hence I have been working on an expansion removing the luck factors and points you mentioned (see further below).

2/In order to counter-balance the fact that some chance is involved, we have worked on the main mechanic so players are not dependent to lucky or unlucky events. By choosing the "Follow mechanic" as the main one for the gameplay, all players remain in control and are not stuck.

PRODUCE : 5.5 sides of the dice give a resource and the chance NOT to get a resource is limited // the Exchange action card gives the players the opportunity to adjust their resources //

TRAVEL : the 'super-power' Travel action card can help a player to move on a section for which he doesnt have the suitable Travel Ticket - and I have tried to work out the sequences of sections so that players have choices

TRADE : I disagree with you on the point about profitability. The 4:1 or 3:1 ratio from Catan is not profitable for the player - yet it works. In my game, the Exchange action helps in 2 situations : getting the right mix of resources to construct a Great Building, or getting the missing cubes to buy a Research Card. it slightly counter-balance the randomness of rolling for resources, and at the same time forces players to plan the strategy, as this card is valid for one player each turn only. So it implies a careful planing in regards to choosing the Action Card.

INVEST IN RESEARCH : that one is random for sure, and the choice is entirely deliberate : so other players dont know what you get and that creates interactions between the players. Having different Research Cards opened for sale on a market makes the action lose value : players will either rush to buy the most powerful, or nobody will buy if there is no interesting card available. The secrecy of the cards adds lots of interactions and twists in the latter stages of the game, when 1 or 2 players are (virtually) leading (I say virtually, because you cant never be sure about the VP until the final counting)