Production levels

My guess would be that he has higher morale in his provinces. He probably conquered one or more capitols? That would make the morale in his provinces higher. Every time you conquer a capitol your provinces get a 10% morale boost and production is tied to morale.

On a new map your morale starts out at 70% so if you capture enemy capitols early on that gives a advantage to your economy.

No. He had not moved a piece. He built one Industrial center in one province. Our morales were the same. Good try, though.

Hmm weird, that puts me out of ideas. Do you have pics? Perhaps that helps figuring it out.

I don't know how to do screen shots, but I carefully checked all teh relevant data that I could. The only thing I could think of was that I have much more experience than either of them. They may have been in their first game. I know one of them had a medium tank right at the beginning.

If it is his first game, I think new players get more resources, but I am not sure if it increases production of it though

Thanks for the reply. Someone must know! I know in the first game, they get a medium tank bonus, but that's all I knew about.

This is indeed just the "tutorial bonus" for new players. This will wear off after some days.

thanks Freezy. How can I find out what game bonuses they have without running into them blind?

well their only bonuses are the aforementiones production bonus for some days and the additional medium tank and 2 Infs at the start of the game.

OK, thank you. I wasn't aware of the production bonus. Does it dissipate over time, or just become their baseline? Maybe there is something I need to read?

dissipates within a week.

Thanks. I should know this going in. What should I read?

The forum

The manual is a good place to start, and also the doctrines if you play 1.5. Then look at some starting guides and from there on develop your own play style.