Politician Archive

PROPOSAL: City Administration

Primary Problem: Many politician players in SWG would like the opportunity to participate in larger cities. There is obviously a limit on the number of "larger" cities a given player base and/or technology can support. Unfortunately, it seems likely the limit will (understandably) be markedly lower than the number of players hoping to be involved in politics.

Secondary Problem: There are relatively few "platform" elements to run on. Current possibilities are - Rebel vs. Neutral vs. Imperial, High tax burden vs. fewer services, Taxes on residents vs. taxes on sales + travel vs. balance, PA vs. PA. In many cities, these decisions (particularly PA and Faction) will likely be made only once. This, combined with the default vote to the incumbant and the degree of Politician XP differential will make it prohibitively difficult to successfully run for office in an established city (Rank 3+)

Secondary Problem: Cities requiring a lot of militia to defend will lose much of their control over zoning. The flip side of this is that a mayor without a militia must either be present constantly, allow free building or potentially make citizens wait around to build. Since most smaller cities are far from existing travel lanes, this is either un-fun for the mayor or un-fun for the citizens-to-be.

Secondary Problem: The Politician skill tree and the relatively slow advancement mean that most mayors will need to focus on "the basics" - Fiscal, Martial and Civics - for several weeks before being able to decorate their city.

Note: I don't mean any of the above as criticisms. There are very valid reasons that I know of for each of these and there's probably others I don't know of as well. They are simply issues with the current set of circumstances that I feel this proposal addresses.

Proposal Summary: The creation of a level of sub-mayor governmental positions available to Politicians. Specifically, Treasurer, Constable, Coordinator, Developer. As additional elections, while desirable, would probably be a technological/coding burden on the system, I propose these positions be by appointment. Appointment over elections has an obvious XP impact, so I further propose that the city pays a "salary" of XP points to these positions. Whether these come from the mayor directly, from a city-wide pool or are created out of thin air I leave as an exercise for the forum and the developers. These positions would be options of the existing city mayor - who would still be the head of the city administration with the ability to hire and fire at will. Furthermore, the mayor would retain their existing powers. The only change to existing powers would be militia zoning rights

(Continued)

Position Description: Treasurer

This position would allow (at the appropriate levels of Fiscal Policy) the fine-tuning of a city's tax and maintenance system. This person would have the ability to conduct deals for the city, being allowed to pull from a city's maintenance pool.

Appointed by: Mayor with Fiscal Policy 3

Skills/Powers:

Fiscal Policy 1 - City Maintenance -5%

Fiscal Policy 2 - City Maintenance -5%, Grant Citizens Travel Tax Exemption

Fiscal Policy 3 - City Maintenance -5%

Fiscal Policy 4 - City Maintenance -5%, Grant Citizens Sales Tax Exemption

Position Description: Constable

This position would allow (at the appropriate levels of Martial Policy) the control of the city's militia and its factional alignment. This person would have all the powers of a member of the city's militia.

Appointed by: Mayor with Martial Policy 3

Skills/Powers:

Martial Policy 1 - Place 2 NPC guards

Martial Policy 2 - Place 2 NPC guards, Equip guards with armor

Martial Policy 3 - Place 2 NPC guards, Declare guards' faction

Martial Policy 4 - Place 2 NPC guards, Equip guards with weapon

Position Description: Coordinator

This position would allow (at the appropraite levels of Civic Policy) the coordination of RP events. Most of this person's job has nothing to do with game mechanics.

Appointed by: Mayor with Civic Policy 1

Needed Items: Scheduler - stores in-game record of upcoming events for players to browse through, Registrar - allows in-game player sign-up for certain events, various trophys/medals for awards

Skills/Powers:

Civic Policy 1 - Place Scheduler, +Small Trophy

Civic Policy 2 - City-Wide Announcement, +Medium Trophy, +Bouquet of Flowers

Civic Policy 3 - Place Registrar, +Large Trophy, +Gold Medal, +Silver Medal, +Bronze Medal

Civic Policy 4 - City Banner (message displayed on city entry), +Grand Trophy, +Key to City

Position Description: Developer (I like Planner better, but that title's taken)

This position would allow (at the appropriate levels of City Customization) control of zoning rights and city decorations.

Appointed by: Mayor with City Customization 1

Skills/Powers:

Customization 1 - As Mayor, City Hall Admin

Customization 2 - As Mayor, Disable Zoning Rights Access to Militia

Customization 3 - As Mayor, Delegate Zoning Rights

Customization 4 - As Mayor, Structure Rename (or something, not sold on this one)