Miniconomy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Miniconomy, or MC, is an online trade game where an (economic) society is being simulated. The game is completely free to play, yet for some advanced options you have to become Premium Member. The game is also used at high schools in the Netherlands and Belgium, as it is Dutch of origin.
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[edit] History
The development of the game started in October 2001, when computer science student Wouter Leenards, along with his brother Mark Leenards, a business economy student, made the plan to develop a realistic trade game on the Internet. After it was successfully launched and growing exponentially, new features such as politics make their entry, forming a complete virtual reality world. It doesn't take long for several publishers and schools to discover the game; they wanted to use Miniconomy in educational programs. After receiving a subsidy in 2004, by the Stimuleringsregeling digitale pioniers (A Dutch organization to encourage digital initiatives), they decide to make the step to an educational implementation. This educational version is primarily aiming at the subjects Economy and Management & Organization.
As Miniconomy keeps growing, the decision is taken to look beyond the Dutch speaking borders of the Netherlands and Belgium. A whole new English speaking country appears and the entire game is translated. Also the page layout is being upgraded constantly, and new features are being added. The streets are full of shops, garages, harbors, houses, banks, clubs and magazines created by enthusiastic players.
[edit] Possibilities of the game
In a digital world (which exists in the form of the three countries Cyberia, Virtua and Digitalia and which each have an own culture) the player can build a trade empire and try to outsmart (and out-rich) other traders. It is not uncommon for the wealthiest players to have several shops in more than one city, and also own banks, harbors and/or companies. For players who don't have the skills to compete the trading competition, there is the possibility to become priest, officer, teacher, lawyer and more. There also are elections each round to elect new local and national governments.
[edit] Politics in the three countries
Cyberia The members of parliament are being elected through the election list, which is formed by several political parties. The parliament has 13 seats and may propose new bills, change the law and vote for new bills. After the elections a member of parliament can advance to the job of minister; Those players run the country.
- MvO - Minister of Education. controls schools, take exams and give out diplomas. Cyberian citizens with a teacher degree can start a school and teach. As soon as a student finished all the lessons he/she can make the exam to receive a degree. The most popular (official) degrees are: officer, lawyer, priest and teacher.
- MvF - Minister of Finance takes care of the budget and controls the finance system.
- MvJ - Minister of Justice controls the court and jurisdiction.
Furthermore there is a Ministry which varies in name and content.
Virtua The one and only English speaking country in the Federation (Cyberia and Digitalia both are Dutch speaking countries). The inhabitants of Virtua can vote in the consul elections for candidates, who can only be elected in their own city. Those Consuls form the Board of Consuls, who govern the country.
Digitalia The mayors of the three Digitalian cities (Tripolire, Monapoli and El Peso) choose for their city a senator who can make national bills and put them up for a vote. At head of the government there is a King, which isn't elected but can be removed by pledging a Coup d'Etat.
