Make It So: Fictional Finances
Awhile ago Defunct Games asked a simple question: why has nobody compiled a list of different currencies in RPGs. That got me thinking, which is a dangerous thing as you all know.
The only thing? This great idea should be taken farther.
Here’s what I want, people. Here’s what we need.
Let’s see a website, book, or both on fictional currencies period, with as much insanely detailed data as possible. Games, novels, TV, whatever. If it’s got a fake currency, we need real documentation of it!
Let’s see the description of the currencies, and have pictures if at all possible. Sometimes currency tells a story from it’s mere appearance, and of course some artists and authors would probably appreciate the attention.
Let’s see the history of the currencies. Some authors and game designers put a lot of thought into the history of these things, so let’s show it off and recognize it.
Let’s see the value of the currencies so we can get an idea of how they work – and how well designed they were. How much could someone puchase? What did it tell us about the game/setting?
Let’s see where the currencies fit into the plots of the stories, anime, games, etc. Currency does actually play a role in some games and tales, even if we may have not been interested in those parts.
Let’s show bloopers, weird ideas, inaccurate assumptions, and outright mistakes. Sure there’s the hernia-producing piles of gold adventurers accumulate, but there’s plenty more to discuss.
Let’s show what authors and creators have said on the currency in their creations. I’m sure there’s more than a few fascinating stories that’ll make us think, and laugh, and in a few cases cry.
Sure it would take effort, research, and commitment. It would also take people who give a damn about imaginary currencies, which may not exactly be a common interest. However this is the age of the internet, so your could probably find people. For that matter you could probably manage a Kickstarter, though it’s ironic to raise money to discuss imaginary currency, I suppose.
Why would we want this?
- It’s pretty apparent someone did or I wouldn’t be writing it. We nerds, geeks, and otaku are into things, and some of that includes economics. I know I’d be interested, but I’m also an econogeek, so I’m biased.
- It would be outright amusing. These little bits of trivia, especially about something like money (which we all deal with, too many of us poorly) could be hilarious. I still recall an error mentioned in “Murphy’s Rules” where an RPG had prices miswritten, so a filled wine sack cost less than an empty one.
- It could be educational, and financial education is always a good thing. Think of the strange assumptions, weird mistakes, and brutal truths we’d learn. A few financial assumptions we may make could be shattered in an exploration of fictional finance.
- It would actually be useful to real economists – they’d get an exploration of how people imagine currency and where ideas come from.
- It would make people better world-builders – because finance is rarely a big focus in world building. A book on the subject could inspire people and create more gripping tales and games.
- Whoever did this book/site/both would have some career advantages if they worked in finances, were writers, etc. Such a creation would really lend them credibility and give them opportunities.
- It would be one hell of a gift (in book for) for people like . . . er, well me.
Go on, make it so. Someone needs to, ahem, invest the time and effort . . .
Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach. He blogs on careers at http://www.fantopro.com/, nerd and geek culture at http://www.nerdcaliber.com/, and does a site of creative tools at http://www.seventhsanctum.com/. He can be reached at http://www.stevensavage.com/.
