Economic Ideas
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Economic Ideas
With a lot of interest in the SCUE at the moment, I thought it would be worth reposting something I prepared for Bastion - a set of economic ideas. The SCUE provides you with a currency and a large market to buy and sell in, but it doesn't automatically provide you an economy - you still need to start buying or selling things. This document should give you lots of good ideas of what to buy/sell, as well as what it actually means to do so.
And a hint - if you're starting up a company (and please do ), why not do your primary business on a place lots of people actually visit? Here is a good place to run a company if you want lots of country-level contracts, as a lot of national leaders visit here. Alternatively, if your business is more catered to individuals, why not set up on Bastion as well as in your own nation (if you're not part of a Bastion nation)? That way you have quite a lot of people seeing what you're doing and able to contact you to buy or sell.
And a hint - if you're starting up a company (and please do ), why not do your primary business on a place lots of people actually visit? Here is a good place to run a company if you want lots of country-level contracts, as a lot of national leaders visit here. Alternatively, if your business is more catered to individuals, why not set up on Bastion as well as in your own nation (if you're not part of a Bastion nation)? That way you have quite a lot of people seeing what you're doing and able to contact you to buy or sell.
[center]Economic Ideas[/center]
Abbreviations used in this document:
IC – In Character (aka simulated)
MCS – Micronational Cartographic Society
OOC – Out of Character
RP - Roleplay
Things to sell:
These are things you can start a business to sell; or, if you want them and nobody has a business, make an offer to buy it.
Audio: Produce an audio clip such as a speech, story, news report, sound effect etc.
IC Implications: Depends on the context. The producer may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Record an audio clip, or find a suitable one online and modify it if required.
Music: Produce a musical clip such as a song, instrumental piece etc.
IC Implications: Depends on the context. The producer may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Sing a song/perform a piece and record it, or find a suitable one online and modify if required.
Compose: Compose a piece of music.
IC Implications: Depends on the context. The producer may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Compose – Actually compose a piece of music and produce a score.
Record – Record and release the composed music, whether using midi software or in real life.
Anthem: Produce an anthem for a nation, region, city, school etc.
IC Implications: Depends on the context. The producer may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Write – Write the words to an anthem (whether a tune you have composed or an existing tune).
Record – Record and release the anthem by recording someone singing it.
Fictional History: To write history for a micronation that never actually occurred but is taken as IC history. Normally set before the micronation began OOC.
IC Implications: This history is considered real IC history. If it needs to be changed later it can be considered to have been written history that was not entirely accurate.
OOC Actions: Write the history in a suitable format.
IC History: To write the IC history for a micronation on events that have already occurred.
IC Implications: This is a record of IC history. The historian and history account can be used in RPs.
OOC Actions: Research what has actually happened IC and write a suitable historical account of it.
IC History: To write the OOC history for a micronation on events that have already occurred.
IC Implications: OOC events can have IC implications if you want, but normally do not.
OOC Actions: Research what has actually happened OOC and write a suitable historical account of it.
Archaeology: To undergo archaeology on an archaeological site.
IC Implications: This archaeological dig is taking place IC, and can discover lost treasures to be used IC.
OOC Actions: Permission – Prepare research grant applications or other suitable means to gain permission for the archaeology.
Research – If doing archaeology on a pre-existing micronational site or civilisation, research them to help work out what you should find.
Write – Write logs or other suitable accounts of the archaeology taking place.
Film: Producing film such as a movie, flyover of a land, news report, reading of a story, short clip etc.
IC Implications: Depends on the context. The producer may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Video – Produce a video by filming something in real life, editing other people’s work, making a flash animation etc.
Trailer – Produce a trailer for an IC movie. You can also produce accompanying posters, synoposis etc, even if you never make a full movie.
Images: To create an image, picture, banner etc to be used by someone. Some more specific examples follow.
IC Implications: No IC implications, or as artwork/photography etc (depending on context)
OOC Actions: Locate an image online, create one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, modify an existing one using image editing software.
Building: To create a building to be placed somewhere.
IC Implications: The building itself can now be used and described in RPs, recwars etc. The building company can have an IC role, and can RP the construction of the building.
OOC Actions: Construction – RP the construction of the building by sourcing materials, describing the building process etc.
Description – Describe the building in words.
Image – Produce an image of the building by locating a building image online, creating one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, or modifying an existing one using image editing software.
Map – Produce a map of the layout of the building as a floorplan, architectural design, blueprint etc.
Cartoon: To create a cartoon such as a drawing, political cartoon, comic strip etc.
IC Implications: Depends on type of cartoon produced. A political cartoon could be used in an IC newspaper or an RP, a comic strip could be used IC in RPs or just OOC. A particular comic book could be talked about IC as a well known comic book even if the actually comic strips produced only make sense as OOC jokes.
OOC Actions: Locate a cartoon online, create one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, modify an existing one using image editing software.
Coat of Arms/Heraldry: To create a coat of arms for a nation, region, city, family, company etc. Can be done as a stand alone shield, or supported by animals etc.
IC Implications: This coat of arms represents that nation/region/city/company, can be attached to official documents, placed on buildings etc. The Herald may have an IC role.
OOC Actions: Image - Locate a coat of arms online, create one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, modify an existing one using image editing software.
Explanation – Explain in words the heraldic meaning/significance of the features of the coat of arms.
Currency : To create a set of coins and/or notes for an economy.
IC Implications: None, really, unless you use bizarre denominations for the breakup of cash.
OOC Actions: Locate the images for coins and/or notes online, create some using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, modify an existing set using image editing software.
Flags: To create a flag for a nation, region, city, family, company etc.
IC Implications: This flag represents that nation/region/city/company, can be flown in RPs, times of war etc. The flagmaker probably has no IC role.
OOC Actions: Locate a flag online, create one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, modify an existing one using image editing software. Normally produced as a rectangular image; but could also use software effects to make a still or short film of the flag flying.
Logo: To create a logo for a company, organisation, religion etc.
IC Implications: This logo represents that company/organisation/religion and can be attached to official documents, placed on buildings etc. The logo producer probably has no IC role.
OOC Actions: Locate a logo online, create one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, modify an existing one using image editing software
Posters: To create an image in the style of a poster, such as a wanted poster, movie poster, wartime propaganda etc.
IC Implications: Depends on type of poster produced. A wanted poster can be use in an RP, a movie poster could be for an IC movie or movie company, wartime propaganda could be used in an RP or recwar etc.
OOC Actions: Locate a poster online, create one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, modify an existing one using image editing software.
Currency : To create a set of stamps for a nation/region.
IC Implications: The stamp creator can be the post office. Your nation now has a post office.
OOC Actions: Image - Locate the images for stamps online, create some using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, modify an existing set using image editing software.
Post Office – Describe the post office, its building, staff, routes etc.
3D Designs: To create a 3D image of something: a building, vehicle, ship, location etc.
IC Implications: Depends on what the image is used for – see above and below. Company creating it can RP construction of the thing if appropriate.
OOC Actions: Image - Create a 3D image using some sort of 3D editing software, or by making something physically and taking a photo of it.
Construction - RP the construction of the thing by sourcing materials, describing the building/development process etc.
Cartography: To create a map of something, like a landmass, a state, a city, a house, the location of buried treasure etc. Some more specific examples follow.
IC Implications: This thing has been mapped. The map can be used in an RP or recwar, and the cartographer can get credit for the process of mapping
OOC Actions: Image – Produce an image of the map by creating one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, or modifying an existing one using image editing software.
RP – RP the development of the map (how to do this will depend on what the map is and how it’s used).
Airlines: To create an airline company and routes.
IC Implications: There now exists an airline company and routes which can be used in RPs, recwars, stock exchanges etc.
OOC Actions: Company – Create a company, get a logo, talk about the company history, ethos, mission, owner etc.
Route – Create a map of the flight routes.
Times – Write and publish a list of the flight times, prices etc.
City Mapping: To create a map of a particular city.
IC Implications: City mapper may or may not have an official role (as city government etc). The map itself will make RPing in that city better as everyone has a clear idea of locations.
OOC Actions: Map - Produce an image of the city map by creating one using image editing software, drawing and scanning or a taking a photo, or modifying an existing one using image editing software.
Research – Normally any city being mapped will have had some locations already described in words. Make sure to include them. The mapper will probably also create new locations and certainly name many new streets.
Claimsmapping: To modify the MCS map for the purpose of claiming, producing a map etc.
IC Implications: Depends on context, see above/below. May have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Use paint to take the MCS map and modify it. Save it in .png format.
Train Networks: To create a train company and railway network.
IC Implications: There now exists a railway company and routes which can be used in RPs, recwars, stock exchanges etc.
OOC Actions: Company – Create a company, get a logo, talk about the company history, ethos, mission, owner etc.
Network – Create a map of the railway network.
Times – Write and publish a list of the train times, prices etc.
Legal Advice: Provide legal advice to someone on a matter of micronational law.
IC Implications: Depends on the context. The legal advisor may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Consult the laws and advise people on their legal questions.
Legal Services: Serve as a prosecutor or defender for someone in a micronational court of law.
IC Implications: Depends on whether the trial is IC or OOC. If the trial is IC, this has clear IC implications within the RPing of the trial. IF the trial is OOC, the person may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Prepare the legal defence/prosecution for the trial, serve in the trial, examine witnesses etc.
Military Units: Design and produce military units for use by a nation in recwar or other defensive purposes.
IC Implications: The purchaser of the military units can use them in war. The producer is the IC manufacturer/developer of the weapons, and this fact can be used in RPs and recwars also.
OOC Actions: Research – If you want your weapons to be realistic, research the real world technologies you are using and base your design off them.
Development – You can RP the development process.
Design – Design the military unit and write up a description of the unit, clearly explaining any abilities. This can include giving it a new name (if the description is based on a real world unit).
Image – Produce an image for the military unit.
Production – When selling people the unit, decide whether you sell them a specific number, or give them a license to produce it themselves (in which case they can use as many as they like).
Military Aid: Assist someone else militarily, either joining them in war or agreeing to defend their territory against invasion.
IC Implications: You are their protector and responsible for their defence/assistance.
OOC Actions: Watching – Paying attention to when they are invaded.
Recwarring – Responding to an invasion by defending them with your own units.
Programming: Program a piece of software. Current examples include a bank, stock exchange, tour, Computer RPG and a recwar battle decider.
IC Implications: Depends on the context. The producer may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Program the required thing.
Forum Modding: Produce and/or install a modification to forum software.
IC Implications: Almost certainly no IC role.
OOC Actions: Produce – Code the forum modification.
Install – Install the forum modification.
Video Game: Program a videogame, such as a minigame, RPG etc.
IC Implications: The video game can be referenced in RP and recwar, and the company can be used as a vehicle for further IC games.
OOC Actions: Create a videogame.
Website Design: Create a website for a micronation, organisation, service etc.
IC Implications: Depends on the context. The producer may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Create the pages within a website, format it, organise links etc.
Sport: To run a sports league/team.
IC Implications: The nation now has a bunch of sports teams IC, and the results of matches can have IC implications etc.
OOC Actions: Team – Name your team, choose colours, mascot, players, positions etc.
League – Simulate the matches and determine the results, and post them regularly.
University: Running a micronational university, which can offer IC degrees and real classes in different things.
IC Implications: The university itself can be used in RPs, and the degrees conferred may have IC implications.
OOC Actions: Running – Organise people to teach classes and students for the classes.
Describing – Describe the university itself, its grounds, environs, faculty structure, courses etc.
Teaching – Teach on a topic of interest to students, such as a micronational language, economics, recwar, history etc.
Writing: To write something, be it a story, RP, recwar, news article, wiki article, description, research log etc. Some more specific examples follow (see also Bounties below).
IC Implications: Depends on context, see below. Writer may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: To write something and publish it in an appropriate format.
News: To create news by writing news stories (whether about existing events or creating new events) and publishing them, whether as text, a broadsheet, or some other means.
IC Implications: The news story can be referenced in RP, used as an excuse for NPC opinions etc. The company producing it can also be used (including as a vehicle for further IC news).
OOC Actions: Article – Write a news article. If writing about a real event, research it.
Publish – Publish as a post on a blog, post on a forum (not recommended) or as a collection of news stories and other suitable things as a news broadsheet, normally saved as an image.
Official Documents: To create official looking documents.
IC Implications: The document can be used in RP, recwar etc. The document creator may have no IC role.
OOC Actions: Write – Write the contents of the document in suitable language.
Publish – Publish the document in a suitable format (eg a nicely formatted pdf for a law, an image with a wax seal for a private communiqué, the photo of a crumpled letter for a clue or spy note etc.).
RP Services: Roleplay a scenario, organisation, character etc. Particularly useful to provide an antagonist.
IC Implications: You are RPing, so whatever you RP will have IC implications.
OOC Actions: Write RP posts.
Story : Write a short story, legend, saga, biography etc.
IC Implications: The story may be considered true or a story IC.
OOC Actions: Write the story. Depending on the format, you may wish to publish it with pictures.
Other Bounty Options:
Governments can pay people for things that aren't normally bought or sold - likecultural or government work. When it's a one-off payment dependent on the work done, it's often referred to as a 'bounty' - when it's regular and not dependent on the amount of work done, it's often referred to as a 'wage'.
Cultural Development: Develop culture for a nation/region/city, such as music, language, customs, styles of dress, history, geography etc..
IC Implications: Whatever you create becomes IC reality.
OOC Actions: Write up a description of the culture, and find accompanying images/music as appropriate.
Diplomacy: Be a diplomat for a nation, representing them at another nation.
IC Implications: Your character as diplomat may have IC implications, and can be used in RPs.
OOC Actions: Ambassador – Represent the views of your home nation in the nation you’re a diplomat in.
Reporting – Make reports to your home nation about the nation you’re a diplomat in; and reports to the nation you’re a diplomat in about what’s going on in your home nation.
Government: Serve as a member of government.
IC Implications: Your character in that position may have IC implications, and can be used in RPs.
OOC Actions: Depends on the position.
Land Development: Develop land/settlements within a nation/region.
IC Implications: Whatever you create becomes IC reality.
OOC Actions: Write up a description of some geographical feature – a settlement and its people, major buildings, character etc; or a landscape feature like a waterfall, forest, mountain etc.
Tour: Do up pages for a tour that people can use to travel around the land.
IC Implications: Whatever you create becomes IC reality. You can also have an IC tour company.
OOC Actions: Write up a series of webpages which link to eachother, allowing a person to navigate the land.
Legislation: Draft legislation (or amendments thereof) for nations/regions/cities.
IC Implications: None, or your character is the author of this legislation.
OOC Actions: Write up the legislation.
Wiki Articles: Do up articles for a wiki.
IC Implications: Almost certainly none; or official Historian.
OOC Actions: Write up wiki articles, which will involve researching the topic or creating the info. May require skills in using infoboxes.
Coming Soon
Financial Matters:
Stock: Offer stocks in your company on the SC Stock Market.
IC Implications: Depends on the OOC implications. Stocks need to provide their owner with some benefit or nobody will buy them. Most benefits have clear IC implications.
OOC Actions: Depends on the benefits provided. It could be part ownership of the company, a vote in company matters, a share of the profits, access to certain company services, or even just the right to call yourself 'official sponsors'.
SCX: Trade on the Small Commonwealth Exchange.
IC Implications: None, except for the NSX companies - ownership of them on the SCX counts as IC ownership.
OOC Actions: Trade - Buy and sell stocks on the SCX.
Float - Get your company onto the SCX for a small fee.
Loan: Offer loans to individuals.
IC Implications: Depends on what the money is used for.
OOC Actions: Provide some of your money to another person, and get them to agree to pay you back with certain regular repayments.
Banking: Offer banking services to individuals.
IC Implications: Bank can exist as an IC company.
OOC Actions: Take accounts - Get people to transfer their money to you and store it in your bank; and keep track of their accounts.
Pay interest - Give people some interest based on their account balances.
Bonds: Offer bonds to individuals.
IC Implications: Depends on what the money is used for.
OOC Actions: Essentially the opposite of a loan - someone else pays you money, and you agree to pay them back with certain regular repayments. They can trade the right to repayments to another person (the bond is the right to repayments).
Resource Trading: Trade using the NORSE.
IC Implications: This provides justification for using resources in your building projects.
OOC Actions: Buy resources you need using NORSE.
Andreas
"He showed up three or four years ago and accidentally took over the micronational world by being way more competent and enthusiastic than everyone else. Now he sort of rules us all, but it's a benevolent sort of thing, as far as we know."
~Scott Alexander
"He showed up three or four years ago and accidentally took over the micronational world by being way more competent and enthusiastic than everyone else. Now he sort of rules us all, but it's a benevolent sort of thing, as far as we know."
~Scott Alexander