What is this game, how is it different from others

[George WK Newman]

At its base, this is a network television simulation game, where the players all work within the same media company, and compete as a start-up against the real world television networks, cable networks, etc.

This is largely a roleplaying game, and a creative outlet for those who fantasize about working in the television industry.

[George WK Newman]

How is this game different then other network games?

1) Cooperation based. While any site requires cooperation to run properly, most network simulation sites start with the premise of networks competing against each other. Most people participating in these sites are the network presidents, and by default do everything for their network. In this game all players strive to make our network and corporation better. However, within that framework is a different type of competition as players compete to climb the corporate ladder and take on the more glamorous and rewarding network roles.

2) Real world framework. The premise is that our fledging network is going to be competing in the real world, against NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CW, cable, etc. Since the climb will be slow and uphill as it was for UPN, WB, CW, MyTV, etc, while our ratings will hopefully progress it's not like we're going to be knocking off American Idol from the ratings.

3) Multiple personality role playing. Because of the more specialized and realistic look of the network, players will have the opportunity to play multiple roles, as long as there is no serious conflict of interest. For instance, the Director of News may also be the showrunner (executive producer, writer) for one of the network's prime time scripted shows, the showrunner for a daytime soap opera, act as the General Manager of one of the network's affiliate stations, and be an independent television critic (media). All these roles would be seperate people who may come and go from the network and its world.

4) Financial sophistication. Corporate overhead, show production costs, advertising sales, its all included. The stage is set for the usual conflcts between the corporate types and the artistic types. Will you be the one trying to convince the showrunner to scale back on outdoor scenes, or will you be the artistic showrunner threatening the suit to leave his stage or get a potted plant thrown in his face? At the end of the day, it will be the role of everyone to make the network succeed in order to attract more capital investment.

5) Real World Timelines. You can not go from pitching a new show to production in a couple of hours. Timelines for various types of shows will be detailed, and showrunners will be responsible for scheduling which weeks they will shoot, and then delivering episode recaps as a finished product. The more timely and professional the production and deliverables, the better we assume a real world product will be, and this will be reflected in the ratings.

6) Real World Problems. When we run our own networks there isn't much to throw a monkey wrench into plans. Part of this game will be making decisions, solving problems, and innovating. For instance, what is our policy about breaking away from prime time shows for sudden news developments? How do we react when we get a large but questionable advertisement account? What happens when one of our show's stars goes to jail for a DUI? What happens when our biggest network affiliate objects to the material in one of our new shows and threatens not to air it?

7) The World of Affiliation. Affiliate agreements with local stations is at the heart of all television networks, especially new and fledging networks. Our network may be rewarded with better affiliates if ratings go up, or we may lose some if a competitor appears on the horizon. The role that affiliates play in the network world is not taken for granted in this game.