How Long Does It Take for Children to Grow Up in Banished?
In Banished, the passage of time is accelerated, impacting how quickly your citizens age, and consequently, how long it takes for children to grow into productive members of your society. This is a crucial mechanic to understand for effective city management and population control. So, to answer directly: In Banished, children reach working age at 10 years old and finish school and become educated workers between the ages of 16 and 18. However, it’s not that straightforward. This timeframe isn’t measured in calendar years as we know them; instead, time progresses much faster in the game. Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of aging in Banished and the implications for your fledgling settlement.
The Accelerated Pace of Life in Banished
One of the key things to remember is that citizens age 5 times per 1 in-game year. This means that while a year might pass on the in-game calendar, your citizens have aged five years within that period. This accelerated aging dramatically affects your approach to planning for your population and labor force.
Understanding the Seasons and Aging
The age progression is not simply measured yearly; it’s connected to the four seasons. Specifically, each citizen ages roughly once per every 2.4 seasons. This means someone will age through one year of life roughly 36 in late Spring and 37 half way through Summer. The implications of this pace are vital to keeping your population stable.
The Journey from Child to Worker
In Banished, children don’t immediately become workers upon reaching the age of 10, although they can if no school is present. There’s an intermediate stage for them to become educated, which is essential for your town’s development.
The Role of Schools
If a school is present in your settlement and staffed with a teacher, children reaching the age of 10 will transition into becoming students. This marks a crucial period in their development. The child will stay a student for several years, where the general age of graduation is 16 to 18 years. In some cases where students live far away from the school, it may take them longer to graduate.
Educated Workers
Once students have finished their education, they become educated workers. This represents an important milestone, as these individuals are significantly more efficient at their jobs and can contribute to more specialized tasks within your settlement. Having a sufficient number of educated workers directly affects your community’s overall efficiency and success.
Population Growth and Management
Understanding the life cycle of your citizens is essential for maintaining a stable and growing population. Here are some critical aspects to consider:
Building Homes to Create New Families
New families are the engine of population growth in Banished. By building new homes, you create space for new families to form, which is typically two citizens (a male and female). This leads to the birth of new children. To ensure a healthy growth of your village, it’s crucial to build more housing, especially stone houses, which will always have two people.
The Dangers of Stagnation
If population stagnation occurs, it’s usually because of a lack of housing. Providing ample living space is the most effective way to increase your population. Additionally, remember that wooden houses take longer to replenish after an older citizen dies, whereas stone houses will always have two people. Be sure to prioritize their construction.
Nomads and Population Boosts
While building houses is crucial, you also have the option of accepting nomads, which can provide an influx of new citizens into your settlement. However, they’ll still need adequate housing to settle and reproduce. It’s also important to note that nomads will need housing to live in, and it’s a good way to get your population up when they show up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about aging and children in Banished, offering further insights into these dynamics.
How fast do people age in Banished?
Citizens age 5 times faster than a normal calendar year. One in-game year is roughly equivalent to 5 years of human lifespan, or one year per every 2.4 seasons.
What age do children start working in Banished?
Children can start working at the age of 10, but if there is a school available, they will become students instead. They will not become workers until they are done with their education.
How long do children stay in school in Banished?
Children remain students until they are between 16 and 18 years old, at which point they become educated workers. The time may be longer if their house is far from school.
How can I get more children in Banished?
By building more houses, you increase the likelihood of new families forming and having children. Ensure there are two citizens of the opposite sex available to start a family.
Why is my population not growing in Banished?
Population stagnation is often a result of a lack of housing. Build more houses to encourage new families and births.
What is the best way to increase population in Banished?
The most effective way to increase population is to build more homes. This will allow citizens to form new families, and nomads to become new citizens.
Does Banished have a specific age limit?
No, there’s no specific age limit; however, citizens will eventually die of old age. It’s important to have a steady supply of new children to maintain a working population.
What if there is no school?
If there is no school, then at the age of 10 the child will become a worker. However, they will not become an educated worker.
Can a child become a student if they are older than 10?
Yes, if there is a free spot at school and they do not have work, a child older than 10 will become a student.
What is the significance of having educated workers?
Educated workers are more efficient at their jobs and can handle more specialized roles within your community. It’s vital for long-term prosperity to educate all of your children.
How do nomads affect my population?
Nomads can significantly boost your population. If you have adequate housing, accepting them is a good way to increase your labor force.
How do I decide when to build more houses?
When your population is growing, you’ll need to build more houses to accommodate new families and prevent stagnation. Keep a close eye on your demographics to determine how many houses to build.
How does distance affect schooling?
Distance can affect schooling. If students have far to travel to get to school, this will take longer. This might mean they graduate later or not at all.
Is there an ending to Banished in terms of population?
No, there is no end to Banished. You can continue to build and expand your town as long as you can provide for your citizens.
What happens to my town if I do not have enough workers?
If you don’t have enough workers, your town’s productivity will decline. Essential tasks will be slower and it can negatively affect food production and resource management. Be sure to have an adequate and constant supply of children.
Conclusion
Understanding the life cycle in Banished—from childhood to educated adulthood—is fundamental to successfully building and maintaining a thriving settlement. By grasping the accelerated aging process, the importance of education, and the mechanisms for population growth, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the challenges of this unique city-building experience. Keep these key mechanics in mind, and your banished citizens will have a much higher chance of survival and prosperity in the harsh landscape they call home.