Adding New Sims - "In theme" expansion

[Patroklus Murakami]

In the last election campaign, one of the CSDF manifesto commitments was to introduce legislation to establish a framework for further expansion by purchase of new sims. We said:

"We will propose a model with two major ways of expansion. One would be "in-theme" expansion where sims are added according to a masterplan that defines the theme in advance so that a public contest for a new theme is not required. Each new sim added this way will meet specific needs decided by the RA (examples are the need for: more citizens; more income; larger plots; larger public areas with specific builds). The second model will be to add further themes, with a public contest for ideas and suggestions but with certain minimum details worked out in advance (overall theme; rough 3d model; plot sizes, prices and budget). Establishing this framework will give all citizens a precise idea on how a new sim is added to the CDS, how long it takes (all timelines will be fixed in advance), and how much it costs."

This post is about the former type of expansion. I'm setting out some ideas so the community can comment on them before we start to draft legislation for consideration by the RA. The CSDF proposes that we use this method to add two new sims in 2008 - one next to Colonia Nova and one next to Neufreistadt which extend the theme of these sims.

Here are some first thoughts for how expansion could take place according to this model:

Phase I: PREPARATION
In this phase the RA would decide where the new sim(s) would be built in the overall regional masterplan. The RA would commission the New Guild to produce a rough plan for the new sim(s) following broad guidelines laid down by the RA for (i) the rough number of plots (ii) the range of sizes of plots (iii) price and affordability (iv) single/double prim (v) rough balance between public, private and commercial land (vi) any specific public builds e.g. the ampitheatre.

The New Guild would produce a draft plan, model, budget for construction and guide prices for plot purchase and monthly tier.

These materials would then be used for market research. The Executive Branch would use the materials to gauge whether there was enough interest in the new sim in the CDS and the rest of Second Life to warrant proceeding to the next phase and submit its report to the RA.

Phase II: PURCHASE
On the basis of the report from the Executive, the RA would decide whether to continue with the project or not. Assuming that the RA decides there is sufficient interest to build the new sim(s), the RA would agree any final adjustments to the plan, authorise the Estate Owner to purchase the new sim(s) and commission the New Guild to carry out the work. It is at this point that any questions about payment for services rendered, intellectual property rights to work carried out for the CDS etc would be resolved i.e. before work begins. Advance orders for plots would be made available to CDS citizens.

Phase III: BUILDING & PROMOTION
During this phase the sim would be terraformed, roads laid out and any public or private buildings built. Alongside the building work, the new sim would be promoted by the New Guild within the CDS and without with lots being made available for reservation by sale.

Phase IV: ESTABLISHMENT
The new sim(s) will be formally opened by the Chancellor once building work has been completed, allowing new residents to move in and establish their homes.

[Desmond Shang]

Just out of curiosity, if you were to establish a master plan, how big should the CDS be? And how would you decide?

Caledon is designed to be a 38 region mix of full and openspace regions; it may slip to 42 if I give in and add another 4-pack of openspaces but that's not terribly consequential. We'll likely see completion in 2008, with only 5 regions to go and a good healthy waiting list. After that I've got some colonies in mind; but nothing too over the top. I doubt I'll ever see fifty regions.

The limiting factor for me is actually cost of management (how much of my life DO I want to put into this metaverse stuff?) - which theoretically is *not* a limit for the CDS. Personally I never want to bother with the hassle of a beaurocracy or even a 'corporate state' of employees manning various Ministries - no thanks! But the CDS already has all that.

Another interesting, associated question is: would the CDS ever become part of a cluster of connected regions. I personally see this as a major trend; in a couple years the grid may be 'more connected than not' near the core. Connectivity adds value, offers options, highlights differences (which is good! chocolate dipped strawberries > chocolate and a strawberry separately). Connecting to Caledon would probably never happen (it is fairly well blocked in as-is) but likely there will be many other regions which might produce a win-win effect. All this matters in terms of designing the shape of the country (would you share a continent with someone, would you be an island?)

Then there's the matter of franchulates, as you call them. Would they be allowed to link up? And if so, what happens if one rebels and spurns democracy?

Once you hit the 5 region mark it will be a *lot* easier to finance more regions; you should find yourself with a budget surplus and a citizen surplus (like now only more so). It's going to be very interesting and fun to watch the CDS grow!

[Jon Seattle]

Just out of curiosity, if you were to establish a master plan, how big should the CDS be? And how would you decide?

The RA passed a master plan about a year ago. Of course some details will change. I will try to find the link to it.

[cleopatraxigalia]

Lets get on it!!!

[Salzie Sachertorte]

Let me state my oppositon to expanding at this time. I think we need to get our house in order first.

[Beathan]

Salzie --

What do you think needs to be in order first? Perhaps, with proper energy and attention, we can run both projects in parallel.

Beathan

[Jon Seattle]

Sleazy provided links to the current plan:

http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?p=6028#p6028

Pictures:
http://neufreistadt.info/images/Masterp ... w_copy.jpg
http://neufreistadt.info/images/Masterp ... e_copy.jpg
http://neufreistadt.info/images/Masterp ... y_copy.jpg

[Salzie Sachertorte]

Salzie --

What do you think needs to be in order first? Perhaps, with proper energy and attention, we can run both projects in parallel.

Beathan

I have nothing against new sims. Although let me state my opinion that sim building is very time and labor intensive work done by volunteers - two a year might be a bit too ambitious.

I think some of the squabbles within the CDS are caused by a lack of a unified vision for the whole. I think we need to conduct stratgic planning in order to define what exactly the CDS is and where we intend to go with it before we expend our energy in expansion. I suppose this could be done in parallel, if you have enough volunteers to do each or both. I would just hate to have folks burn-out by being on too many committees all at once. And there are some of us who are unable to participate in such inworld activities due to various RL reasons.

Consider this to be my annual call for strategic planning for the CDS.

You can see past discussions regarding "the vision thing" in the following posts:

http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php? ... tegic#p657

http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php? ... tegic#p657

[Sonja Strom]

At one point in past discussions (here http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php? ... a&start=30) Patroklus provided these links:

Here is how the current master plan was proposed and decided upon: http://forums.neufreistadt.info/viewtop ... 4:13cp03gw

and adopted: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?t=968:13cp03gw

[Desmond Shang]

Fascinating!

Only 18 regions though? Well I guess you can add more later. Looks like a fun project - in fact, you could whip up all the terrain in standalone open source regions on someone's PC, generate .rawfiles and make sculptie models of the masterplan with relative ease.

If there's anything useful lurking in my covenant, or past planning methods - any questions, comments, concerns - let me know and I'll spill.

Well, on one condition (not really) but I'd love to have it! I'd love to include the CDS flag on this page in a dignified manner just like the others: http://navycaledon.googlepages.com/flags.html Of course I guess it would take a commission to determine who could actually okay that?

* * * * *

I'd risk one crazy comment. Waterfront pwns mountainside in terms of long run viability. Easy solution: voidsims, if there is anyone interested. They are actually a risk-prone financially (makes about 10 bucks if occupied, loses about 75 bucks monthly but make really nice buffer zones for towns. Plus, you'll look bigger as a nation. Another downside: can't put too many people on voidsims; at 1875 prims each you would be lucky to add 8 people (two on each) - which is why I'd say they are best to do when there is very little waiting list pressure.

Good luck!

[Patroklus Murakami]

Desmond -

Thanks for posting here, it's always interesting to hear your take on things especially sim expansion where you have rather more experience than us!

Personally, I'd *love* to add the CDS flag to be recognised alongside those of other metaverse nations. Only problem is.... I can't work out whose responsibility it would be to agree to it! I need to have another look at our Constitution. I'm sure a quick bill (hopefully not a constitutional amendment) could be whipped up to enable it. (And then we'll need to argue about it, so it may take some time....)

I agree with you on the solution that void sims could provide for making a bit of space between more densely populated 'city' sims like the three we have at the moment (Neufreistadt, Colonia Nova and Alpine Meadow). But I have been pleasantly surprised at how popular Alpine Meadow has turned out to be and I quite liked having a hillside home with a view for the short time I had it. I would expect that the regional masterplan linked to in a previous post would include at least 4 void sims (8 would be great if we could afford it). We had thought about having one wilderness structure and paying inhabitant per void to bring in some income to offset the cost but you manage to have two? I need to come and have another look round Caledon's void sims to see how you do it.

We'll happily pick your brains whenever you have the time. I guess our friends in the New Guild would be the ones who would benefit from discussing covenants, past planning methods. The current Guild Secretary is Moon Adamant.

[Sonja Strom]

Personally, I'd *love* to add the CDS flag to be recognised alongside those of other metaverse nations. Only problem is.... I can't work out whose responsibility it would be to agree to it! I need to have another look at our Constitution. I'm sure a quick bill (hopefully not a constitutional amendment) could be whipped up to enable it. (And then we'll need to argue about it, so it may take some time....)

Pat, such a commission could act quickly if the RA would grant it the power to negotiate with Caledon directly. I am willing to sponsor such a bill, and possibly to serve on the commission also, in order to help it arrive at a compromise.

*only kidding!

[Desmond Shang]

Most voids (considered a duchy in Caledon) are controlled by one person; I've got one that is split between two. The void sim people can sublease if I'm comfy with them doing it; some do, and so you'll see a variety of friends and residents in there. And parties. I've seen a void hit 100 people with a big enough party.

I live in a slightly different world than the CDS - one of land and competition - if I recall correctly I charged $L 72k per void nonrefundable for rental rights - or 288000 for each set of four. That converted to 1044.81 - nowhere near the 1675 they cost.

I sequester 3 months tier on top of the 1675 USD as a buffer, so 295 * 3 + 1675 is now 'locked up'... that's 2560 USD.

2560 USD - 1044.81 USD recovered is 1515.19 net loss, up front.

Now, I net about 9 bucks a month tier off each of the four in a set, so, if fully occupied I'm recovering about 36 USD/mo. Divide the loss by the monthly income, you get payback in 42 months. Or 3.5 years.

Make a long story short, that means: no recovery, ever. Why? Just try to have full occupancy, nobody late EVER, for 3.5 years. Yeah I may come pretty close to breakeven, but in an actuarial sense voidsims have only 'soft' benefits: making the region really nice. They are best thought of in terms of expense.

Could I have charged more? Oooooh yes. And gotten it, easily. But... not my style. High fees would have locked out some of the most creative people. Best be a small, reasonable boutique sort of place than an overextended big one. Small? Yep. It may not seem so, but think of me as a 'failed' Anshe (Dreamland) or Adam (Azure) or Dana (Otherland) or Alliez (d'Alliez). Yes, there is demand enough to run with the ball, but some quick calculations proved that Caledon is unmaintainable much over 50 regions - that is, if it is to have a cohesive community. Which is why people came to Caledon (and the CDS, shhh!) in the first place. Remember, we don't have your incredible cogsworks of social government! So it's size-limited: goose, golden eggs, all that.

As for the flag - the website isn't mine, it's a friend's, and I don't want him subject to any DMCA or improper use claims re: anyone's flag. If we haven't been at least casually told 'yah it's ok' then we aren't putting a flag up on there... so it's mainly to alleviate our fears, not yours.

[Sonja Strom]

Here is another related thread, about sim expansion: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1553

[Beathan]

I would favor "in theme" expansion as an easier road to expansion, with two caveats.

First, I don't want to foreclose additional themes. I would love to see a Greek theme added. I would also like to see a theme that allows both residential expansion and monumental architecture (I have proposed a Palace of Versailles theme to accomplish this).

Second, I am skeptical about the extent to which the master plan appears to expand our Bavarian theme more than our Roman theme. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is much more interest in Roman themed locations than in German themed locations in SL. Now, this is a minor point -- as the master plan will not be built in a day -- but one we need to consider as we move forward.

Beathan