SE4 by Committee

[Arkcon]

Originally posted by Krsqk:
Do I as finance minister have a say in the "invisible" financial matters, like worker or government payrolls? For example, could I get a 25% block to cut the research budget (by scrapping research facilities)? Just wondering exactly how far I can push my boundaries.

[edit-styoopid smileys]

Watch it there with those research centers, "he who cannot be named", as Minister of Science, I may have to throw my 25 % against you. And I'll have the support of governers of large, optimal planets with low resource levels. Who else would they support?

[Suicide Junkie]

The SE4 by Committee Forum
Thanks to Lazarus Long, there is now a forum up for the day-to-day running of this game!
Visit here, and sign up! (link)

Join up with your shrapnel names, or tell me who you are in this thread.
I will then add you, as applicable, to the senators, ministers, and officers Groups.
Ministers will get offices, and moderator powers there for taking calls and having meetings.
Officers have a lounge, and Senators are allowed to vote.
(Note: Ministers and Officers are Senators too)

Originally posted by Krsqk:
The one concern I have right now is the level of involvment of the Senate. How much influence do they have in the day-to-day affairs of every planet or transport or exploration ship? Do they really even care if Planet X has enough fighters or System Y has a plague (unless that's where they're from)? I guess the gist of my question is, does the Senate vote on every action, or are some actions only subject to the planet/system/fleet/whatever leaders?

The senate could certainly grant some independence to certain colonies and ministers. They could simply not bring up certain issues to vote on, and ignore them.
If a Minister or Officer wishes to do something against a senate decision, they would be privately warned that it may be considered treason. If the senate fails to notice, no problem, otherwise they may be voted a traitor and forcibly removed from office as a rebel.

One more question. Do I as finance minister have a say in the "invisible" financial matters, like worker or government payrolls? For example, could I get a 25% block to cut the research budget (by scrapping research facilities)? Just wondering exactly how far I can push my boundaries.

[edit-styoopid smileys][/QB]

Well, Construction Minister Skulky would get one of the blocks for build orders. And the other block would probably fall to the local governor of the planet in question.
Science Minister Arkcon might have a word or two for you as well

You could get a majority block on a vote for a budget plan "The empire needs to add six more rads facilities, and 20,000 mineral storage this next year"
If the construction minister then scraps rads miners and mineral storage facilities, him and the planetary governor/system lord in question may be branded traitors.
I suspect you will find you have more direct control over the out-going resources than the incoming. New ship construction would definitely be a finance concern.

That brings up the question of the social structure of the Empire... does the bigger minister get the majority vote, or the local governor?
Can there be a declared state of emergency where the priorities reverse?
Can local governors authorize construction,scrappings and other orders on their own?
If the local governor and the immediate minister agree, does a senate vote have to be taken?

[geoschmo]

I think it would be most realistic if the senate and the main minsters didn't get involved in every day to day decision a system lord or planetary governor makes. In times of economic crises they would vote to withhold resources for construction projects (put queues on hold) and might direct the various planets to build certain things.

The System Lords I think will be the most interesting position in this thing. They should have the ability to make autonimous decisions and decide whether to follow the Empires directions or not. Of course a System Lord that disobeys too often runs the risk of being replaced. So it will be a balancing act on their part.

Revolts would be very interesting. Some ships Generals could be convinced to follow the system lord with promises of larger ships and fleets to command. Maybe be given a planet of their own. This has so many intersting options in it. It could be fun to play even without AI.

Geoschmo

[geoschmo]

SJ, I can't seem to post in the other forum. It's telling me I have to have special access.

Geoschmo

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
SJ, I can't seem to post in the other forum. It's telling me I have to have special access.

EDIT: Maybe it's cause I am not a Senator? I can post in the Bar & Grill ok.

Geoschmo

[Krsqk]

That brings up the question of the social structure of the Empire... does the bigger minister get the majority vote, or the local governor?
Can there be a declared state of emergency where the priorities reverse?
Can local governors authorize construction,scrappings and other orders on their own?
If the local governor and the immediate minister agree, does a senate vote have to be taken?

That also brings up the question of governmental structure. Are we (for the purposes of this game) a two-branch government with separation of powers and checks and balances? Or is either the executive branch or legislative branch supreme?

Will there be a defined goal for the game, such as 1) beat the AI , 2) role-play and cause general mayhem, or 3) just do your thing? I.e., is there any "constitutional" direction for our empire, or is it solely the product of our clashes?

Also, will there be any process for including new "players" as the game progresses?

[Suicide Junkie]

Yes, Geo. You need to be a senator in order to speak in the Senate Room.

Be patient for a second while I fiddle around in the admin menu

Krsqk:
Structure, eh? Normally, I'd expect the ministers to have the most power. If they abuse it, some irate Generals might decide to move the fleet a few million klicks back from the shuttle as the Rage warships approach
It seems to me that it is a mostly homogenous single branch government that will self-divide chaotically according to the situation.

As for making some checks, balances and peeling off some branches, see the Senate room over at the committee Forum
http://www.invirtuo.cc/se4/index.php

Predetermined goal, I'd say survival is a good starting point
Some players may want to gain power, and command huge fleets, or great political strength, or just to be the "local" governor of the first Sphereworld and have it named after themselves
If you want, the senate could vote for a declaration of principles or somesuch.