Hot Corner 22 Jan 2016

Virtonomics - Lien Ledger |

Hot corner is here.  Time for the weekly gossip.

 

Let's talk about the current Virtonomics Blog competition this week.


The blog competition rules/guidelines:

• what to write: chronicle how to start-up, how to win competitions, how to run establish company, newspaper/current events.  Whatever is written, it should teach game's rules, mechanics, principals and tricks. 
• key words should be used: Virtonomics, online game, browser game, games for learning economics/economy, economic simulation game, Tycoon game, turn-based online browser strategy, etc.
• use links to Virtonomics main page, forum and pages in the game. 
• use good language, connection to real economy and recent news, connecting between Virtonomics and real economy theories, etc.
• provide valuable and interesting information. Blog should be interesting to read. People should learn new things from blog posts and discover the game deeper. Talk about new things in game, post news, political events, goals and achievements, etc.
• Rewards are based on quality of blog and adherence to guidlelines, # of view, # of comments, links to social media

Reading between the lines, the competition and resulting blogs have an underlying purpose --> to hopefully get the word out about Virtonomics and bring in new players.

Based on reading the Virtonomics in-game forum, there is some positive and some negative vibe regarding this competition. 

On the negative side, some thoughts are:

• isn't this contest players giving free advertising/propaganda to the game
• is the compensation (virtual game points) high enough for players to write the blogs
• aren't there better set-ups and reward systems for the blog competition
• the game has some issues (one of which is playing for free is not as easy as if you buy game points) so why are we saying all nice things in the blogs
• aren't current players the only ones who will read the blogs anyway
• however the winner is picked will be unfair

I will say, some of those criticisms have merit.  Others, in my opinion, are closed minded.  The one I'm most concerned about myself is "aren't current players the only ones who will read the blogs anyway"

That's because I'm very excited and engaged on this project.  I absolutely love this game with it's flaws and all.  Additionally, I'll do anything I can to bring in new players.  I believe in the long-run that the devs are committed (and they've shown it recently!), but if we don't attract new players this game will be gone in 5 years.

So I look at the game positively and at the competition positively.  As mentioned, I agree that this game and also this competition are not perfect.  I don't view anything as us (players) vs. them (administration who does collect real money).  I view myself as a stakeholder in this game and I'll do what I can to help. 

Regrettably, unless search engines pick up this blog when four eyed number crunchers search google for a business strategy turn based game, this particular effort will not be very effective.  But as you may have already guessed, a little problem like that will not impact my enthusiasm for Virtonomics or this project.

Best,
G

P.S. Feel free to leave comments in agreement or disagreement and perhaps we can have a civil debate.


 

Market Infomation - More is better

Virtonomics - Lien Ledger |
It's common knowledge that when participating in a competitive marketplace, the more information you have the better.

Virtonomics has market information reports, but sometimes it helps to have more information.  Here's a helping hand.

 


 

No Taxation without Representation

 Virtonomics - Lien Ledger |

There are many reasons you may want to vote someone into or out of office.  Here's one of them.

What's that?  You'd like to know the track record of your Virtonomics Lien realm politicians when it comes to taxes?  Take a look below.

Looks like most politicians are either for small government or are leaving well enough alone.  We're not here to tell you how to vote.  We just provide information so you can make informed decisions.

 

Demographic/Tax Report

Virtonomics - Lien Ledger |

Taxes, population, education level, import/export controls, transport costs, wealth level, rare resources, special government projects. 

 

There are many ways to rank the different locations in Virtonomics Lien realm.  Here at Lien Ledger, we rank taxes high on the list and education level near the top as well.

 

 

Below are a few real world tax and education graphics. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dark Green = Highest Education Level, Bright Red = Lowest Education Level

The annual census and demographic update has just been published; below are a few Top 10 lists for Virtonomics Lien realm. 

 

 

 

Taxes are never an exciting subject, but at the end of the day are a very controllable and significant cost of doing business.  As we all work on our tax returns this spring, Lien ledger will post a tax strategy article (i.e. tax evasion) to help you minimize taxes.  For now, these charts should provide a start.

High education / Low salary locations are mainly helpful for very high tech production and very high tech research.  Also, the small talk is higher quality in those areas.

In Virtonomics, there is a nice summary of education, population and wage changes in the Analytics > Macroeconomics > Demography section.

 

Hot Corner 15 Jan 2016

 Virtonomics - Lien Ledger |

Hot corner is a new column we'll publish Friday's. 

This is the Virtonomics gossip column, let's get into the juicy stuff.

Intense Blog Competition

This blog is part of a contest for best Virtonomics blog that started in January.  The competition is fierce!  This blog has some in-depth research but is overall light in a news format and aimed at those who have not played Virtonomics yet. There are two other great blogs that provide updates on the start of a fresh Virtonomics companies by veteran players and include practical advice and tips for contests.    And then there is a blog in the form of a story - great entertainment!  So check the Virtonomics forum for links and check them all out.

Tea Time
Lien realm already had it, but tea is being improved on Lien and introduced on all the other realms.  Also new related products are added including tea leaf, green tea, pu-erh tea, kettle, and tea pot (thanks Mike1!)

Happy Birthday!
Virtonomics celebrated it's 9 year anniversary with special sales and auctions, a Tycoon contest, hard to earn rewards for players who have contributed to the Virtonomics community and game, a new car franchise option and interface improvements.  I can't wait till the big 10 year celebration next year!

Qualification growth Penalties - Transparency!!
Qualification growth penalties will somehow be visible in the future (trust me, if you play the game this is exciting).

Guess who's qualification this is ;)

New Ideas for Virtonomics
There is a nice area created on the Virtonomics forum for suggestions and a way to vote on them.  In an exciting development, some of the new functionality suggestions are being implemented by the game developers!  Get your ideas in!!

Player Interviews
Virtonomics administration interviewed 4 veteran players to find out things like game strategy secrets, thoughts on future of the game, achievements and sexual preferences.  All kidding aside, they can be found in the Virtonomics forum and are good reads.

Thank you
Lastly, I'd like to just say thank you to the developers of Virtonomics.  This article does not even list all of the improvements they've made and I know they have a lot planned.  I for one am very appreciative.  Next week, we'll get into juicier, more personal news!!!

 

R&D - Technology is the way forward

 Virtonomics - Lien Ledger

In the real world, research and development can provide competitive advantage.  And it's a point of pride.

Here's an great chart showing R&D levels around the world.

Employ the best and brightest, build world class facilities and put your country or private enterprise on top!

In the real world, the R&D process looks something like this.

In Virtonomics Lien realm, it looks something like this.

Technology level of each product in Virtonomics influences production. High technology level decreases energy consumption, improves quality and labor productivity. On the other hand, high technology level imposes higher demands on staff qualification and equipment quality.

There is also a technology market where researched technologies can be bought and sold.

Lien realm has many technology powerhouse enterprises.  Below is output from a wonderful DISkA report on Lien realm regarding known technology levels by product.  Enjoy!

 

Production and Products - Big Dreams

 Virtonomics - Lien Ledger

Are you like me, dreaming of owning a maritime propeller production empire?

Or maybe you aspire to produce and sell other products to the world.

20 cool products and even cooler ads
(check out: Don't talk while she drives)

Do you fantasize about production supply chains?

Well then Virtonomics Lien realm is where you need to be!

Here is a very high level Virtonomics supply chain diagram.

These types of enterprises and more can be found in-game.

Going back to ship screws, yup.  Virtonomics has them.

You can source the materials, produce the propellers and wholesale them.  Or you can buy the propellers wholesale and use them to construct yachts for resale.  Or you can own the entire production chain, retail distribution and control the advertising.

Virtonomics has many raw materials and products that are all used in supply chains similar to the diagrams above.  Sounds interesting, doesn't it?

A full listing of Virtonomics raw materials and products is below.

Go to www.virtonomics.com and give it a try!