NationStates Jolt Archive

Hi all,

I realize that things such as finances, military, maps & location (etc) are role-play, but is there a guide anywhere as to what is 'reasonable' to start with?

For example, I'm guessing that a professional military of 0.1 % population size is a good starting point, but if I wanted to *buy* things from other players then where the hell do I start figuring out budgets, etc.?

A group of us are also considering setting up a new region. Can we just just draw some (made-up/fantasy) maps and say, 'Our countries are *here* and *here*'?

Thanks for the help.

Hi all,

I realize that things such as finances, military, maps & location (etc) are role-play, but is there a guide anywhere as to what is 'reasonable' to start with?
I can't think as to the existence of a thread somewhere about it, but there must be. Basically, just remember that you've only got a tiny population to start with and some of the "big boys" have populations roughly 100 times yours, so don't try to do everything you see them doing. Someone else should be able to help out with this one, though.

A group of us are also considering setting up a new region. Can we just just draw some (made-up/fantasy) maps and say, 'Our countries are *here* and *here*'?
Absolutely. Some players will get annoyed if you've made reference to "the high mountainous region" and then suddenly reveal yourself to just have verdant plains, but in all honesty a "region map" at its simplest is just a few squiggly lines and the odd dot meaning a city. Use your imagination by all means, add in an enclave or two and so on and you're away.

Okay. Thanks for that.

I don't want to 'play with the big boys' yet, but it'd be good to have some groundrules to determine technicalities between nations.

Hijacking my own thread here ;) - but the 'Search' function only appears to search on author, not subject. I guess this is to reduce server load?

Thanks again for your help.

For example, I'm guessing that a professional military of 0.1 % population size is a good starting point, but if I wanted to *buy* things from other players then where the hell do I start figuring out budgets, etc.?

A group of us are also considering setting up a new region. Can we just just draw some (made-up/fantasy) maps and say, 'Our countries are *here* and *here*'?

Thanks for the help.

Actually, I think that about 2-5% of your total population should be able to be in the military. This is also dependant on if you have compulsory military service. Plus you can figure out your "budget" by knowing your economic classification (ie: powerhouse, weak, all-consuming) and if your government is communist/socialist or not. I'm not sure what your national budget would be either way, but there are lists out there that are generally accepted as standard.

Plus you and your friends can do whatever you want with your maps and stuff.

Actually, I think that about 2-5% of your total population should be able to be in the military. This is also dependant on if you have compulsory military service.


With conscription, sure. I'm playing this particular country as how I'd imagine a well-run country to be. The fact that currently Yakabako is a 'corporate bordello' reflects that I busted just one strike . . . :oops:

Anyhoo, what I mean is that I consider a small, but professional armed services to be more 'democratic' (whatever the hell that means). Of course, if my people believe in these ideals then 5% of the population would probably volunteer immediately in case of national emergency - before mobilization and conscription became necessary.

Does that sound reasonable?


Plus you can figure out your "budget" by knowing your economic classification (ie: powerhouse, weak, all-consuming) and if your government is communist/socialist or not. I'm not sure what your national budget would be either way, but there are lists out there that are generally accepted as standard.


Right, it's those lists I'm after. Someone TG'd me and said they'd try and find the GDP calculator, for which I'm also grateful.


Plus you and your friends can do whatever you want with your maps and stuff.

Yeah, cool. Thanks.

Hah. The GDP calculator is 404, but I found this topic (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=81395&highlight=).).

I shall be using these figures, for now:

Frightening -- $31,200
All-Consuming -- $25,100
Powerhouse -- $19,800
Thriving -- $15,700
Very Strong -- $10,600
Strong -- $8,600
Good -- $6,700
Fair -- $5,200
Reasonable -- $4,200
Developing -- $3,200
Struggling -- $2,400
Weak -- $1,800
Fragile -- $1,400
Basket Case -- $1,000
Imploded -- $600

After doing a little research of my own, those figures seem a little low. Frex, the UK has a per capita GDP of about 26k US$ equivalent.

The second set of figues seems more likely:

Frightening -- $43,900
All Consuming -- $33,700
Powerhouse -- $25,200
Thriving -- $19,000
Very Strong -- $12,300
Strong -- $9,400
Good -- $7,100
Fair -- $5,200
Reasonable -- $4,400
Developing -- $2,900
Struggling -- $2,100
Weak -- $1,500
Fragile -- $1,100
Basket Case -- $700
Imploded -- $400

The UK's division (spending) of GDP by sector is
Agriculture 1.5%
Industry 25%
Services 73%

Services includes R&D (<3%!!), defence, and health (about 8%, depending on source), and education (<1%!) of course.

The UK has about the highest spend on energy sources - 10% of GDP.

I'm not looking up other figures now, but that gives me an idea of how to pitch things.

For 'Thriving' Yakabako, that gives me a GDP of [edit:] 20 Billion. Because of the state of the Arbitrary Peninsula, I'm going to spend a lot on agriculture. . . . say 1 billion.

Right, trade time. . .

http://www.pipian.com/stuffforchat/gdpcalc.php?nation=yakabako

follow that to get your GDP

brilliant, thanks.

Population: 7,000,000
Civil Rights: Below Average
Economy: Thriving
GDP per Capita: $20,000
GDP: $140,000,000,000
National Budget: $40,378,800,000

so, not far out - to an order of magnitude, anyway :D