Robber Barons
An attempt at an economic simulation NES
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An attempt at an economic simulation NES
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Robber baron n. 1. One of the American industrial or financial magnates of the late 19th century who became wealthy by unethical means, such as questionable stock-market operations and exploitation of labor. 2. A feudal lord who robbed travelers passing through his domain. |
The tech levels are similar to 1850's of our present world.
Goal : Highest Personal Worth.
Players start off with one random industry OR a railroad that connects 2 cities. They would then acquire and construct more industries or railroad to make their own company the strongest. The other way would be to takeover any other opponents.
Map :
Work being done on the map thingie ....
Spoiler:
Game Mechanism : The player and the other NPC's are classical Robber Barons, in a fantasy land of Kingdom of Haehan. The level of technological advance is similar to our world as in 1850 A.D. So are the available train and other industry models. No Aluminium or Diamond, and also no magic. The land, even though ruled by one central authority, who shall be known as King, is divided into several dominions, that have separate rules and regulations. The Players would be allowed to start operating from one single state at first, and can then buy/bully their way into the 2nd and 3rd states.
The more you haul, the more you earn profit. Sometimes though, due to political pressures and others (carrying a band of illegal weapons or revolutionaries). Later on, the players themselves would be able to buy out industries, in the name of the company or for himself.
Revenue Model : How money is earned:
Rail Barons : The primary resource to transport would be goods, passengers would be present, willing to travel, but mainly to and from the major cities. As for goods, each city would produce a certain type of goods, that when sold else where would bring in silvers. In some cases, one type of material might be in more demand in specific locations, i.e. more silvers. Revenue per material per load, would be provided along with fluctuations of prices in each turn.
Industry Barons: The same way, except, you produce the goods that needs to be delivered somewhere else.
A standard rule of thumb : The more any product has traveled the lesser is it revenue (costs and upkeep included); In some cases, for agricultural produce, the entire batch of the product might have gotten ruined.
Research & Upgrades: Upgrades for better train, industry models & track models, would be done via a proper description of the same. For example, the eastern zone has a lot of mountains, i.e. the browny areas, an improvement could be done, how engines perform in terrain grades. While, for passenger only trains in the plains, one could research into how to improve the speed of the same.
Financial Market:
Now, without an opportunity to meddle into others business, there wouldn't be any fun... isn't it ? Well then, the players would be able to buy out shares/stocks in other companies, arrange that loans & funds are disbursed, put on hold or recalled.
The players and the NPC would be starting off with some initial cash, i.e. silver pieces. As and when more funds is required, banks / financial institutions would be willing to provide you with funds, but only for sometime. At a certain point in time, you would realize that going public would be an easy way of getting hold of more funds. This is when the share market would open up, somewhere in 1700 R.H. (i.e. 10 turns from the start of the game.) Then, as long as a player has control of his company, he can do what ever that is needed to be done.
Explaining Hostile Takeovers :
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Scenario : There is one company XYZ that has already gone public. The owner is in control of the 49% of the shares. A rival organization, SWE might want to propose a takeover of XYZ, if it has acquired the rest 51% of the shares. Shares can be procured either as the company funds or through personal funds. The moment, SWE has acquired 25% of the shares of XYZ company, a statement has to be made publicly (i.e. in the thread) quoting the price SWE was willing to pay for the other shares, so that it complete the takeover procedure. Else, the SWE would not be able to make another attempt for the next 20 years (2 turns) |
Character Development :
Players are requested to provide a short bio on the Barons of the future, including the following :
Expertise : (Railroad/ Industry)
Previous Experience : Description of what work the Person has done before. (Some one who has worked in his father's textile plant, would recieve a bonus of more management skills whereas a Nouveau Riche would start with some increased amount of capital)
Feats : Feats are some temporary bonuses, the would be allocated by the G.M. based on the player activity, lasting for a period of 3 turns. some of the same are mentioned below :
Smooth Talker: +1% increased productivity; Great RP; Might be provided given each year
Humanitarian: +1% Local support, lowers raw material cost in one certain province;
Scrooge McDuck: +1% increased revenue
..................... more in the secret duffel bag.
Any advice ? Suggestions ? Please feel free to post .
I feel there are things I forgetting to post....