It's a testament to Civilization 5's thoughtful, historically-based gameplay that the addition of international trade routes is a major pillar of the upcoming Brave New World expansion. Firaxis has talked quite a bit about the new ideology and cultures, so it's time for trade to have its day in the sun.
The revised system is said to help you expand more smoothly and actually pick your own paths to determine your trading partners. A new trailer shows off the feature. Check it out below, and for more detail on the broad scope of Brave New World, read our interview with lead designer Ed Beach and senior producer Dennis Shirk. The expansion drops on July 9.