Disclaimer: John Nash never existed. Also, some contents of this guide only exist in the Japanese and PAL releases of The Economy.
Alternate Title: How to Solve the Economy in 948 Easy Steps.
How, you ask? Simple, friend. All the world needs to do is switch to an RPG based economy.
The root of all economic problems we currently face is that prices change. The stock market moves up and down like an obese person haphazardly running. However, much like an obese person haphazardly running, the economy is destined to periodically fall flat on its face. The solution? Well, Socialism is for Communists. Communism is for Anarchists. Anarchism is for Athiests. Atheism is for Goddessless Heathenism. Let’s face it, none of the above philosophies are ever cast in a positive light. So, we have to get rid of “Supply and Demand” in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still Capitalism in play! How else could we all be millionares by the end of our lives?
Prices are to remain static. If I go to Stop and Shop, I want to get the same items I bought last week/month/year for the same prices. Also, stores are expected to fill large stocks of everything. You never know when someone is going to want 99 cans of peaches. All items will also intrinsically carry a similarly static resale value to them. This is usually by vendor and usually takes the from of some set percentage of the item’s original value. It is also not uncommon to see some items’ sell price be nothing. In this case, you are still free to give away the item.
Labor in an RPG economy is rarely directly rewarded with currency. Instead, the gain of the labor somehow benefits the indivudal with the oppurtunity to do more labor. The extent and frequency varies between sub-types of RPG economies, but money is almost always either aquired by looting or selling possesions. It is also not uncommon to see large stockpiles of money never be used. This has no impact on S&D because money is no longer a commodity of itself, but instead a translation of value as it were. Credit does not exist in the form or large amount (about half of all wealth) it does today in the world. Instead net worth is represented, not only by your current assets, but the resale value of all assets you have previously owned. This is decreased (almost never in a rate greater than increase) by either poor chioces in purchase (i.e. having to re-sell and rebuy assets) or purchase of consumable resources (like food, drugs, and ammunition). Below are some specific sub-categories of RPG economies.
J type RPG Economies
Primary Advantage: J types are extremely stable and can keep the same trade going for longer than any other system.
Primary Disadvantage: It is often the case that consumers buy nothing but one product because it is mathmatically the most advantageous.
Linear, Non-J type RPG Economies
Primary Advantage: These economies are easier to produce, and often hybridized with J-types.
Primary Disadvantage: They offer little economic freedom and closely resemble Platform Economies, and if we wanted a Platform Economy we would have gone with “Super Accountant Brothers 3″.
MMO type RPG Economies
Primary Advantage: Massive cooperative effort allows for passing obsticales that would otherwise be nearly impossible.
Primary Disadvange: The standards are subject to change every week, potentially rendering your career (that you’ve spent decades building up) inferior.
Traditional type RPG Economies
Primary Advantage: A central governing authority can act in supreme power, thus solving and averting many financial disasters.
Primary Disadvantage: If this central authority is inexperienced, it may take away from the overall quality of the economy. Also, it is highly subject to favoritism, bribery, and monotony.
Live Action type RPG Economies
Primary Advantage: It is considered by many hardcore economicists to be the supreme style.
Primary Disadvantage: Almost everyone else considers it the lamest form of economy.
If you are interested in learning more about MY GROUNDBREAKING SOLUTION TO THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS, then read my book.
I really laughed at this one, very well done. The lamest form of economy quip at the end there put me over the edge and I’m afraid I laughed too loud.