Unlike other games where technology plays a major role in one player defeating another, Anno 1602, instead makes technology upgrades more relevant in inner-colony affairs. Instead of buying upgrades to ships to perform better in huge naval battles, it is often the case that upgrades are made so that the ships can carry more cargo, and therefore make the colony more money. The majority of the buildings in the game ... can / will need to be technologically upgraded throughout the game to please the colonies citizens, which produces more cash for the colony, from which the player can continue upgrading his nation, and expand to other islands.