The document proposes a new type of leveling system called a social status system (SSS) that is based on real-life social hierarchies. The SSS would dynamically track a player's highest social status based on their performance in a variety of in-game activities like combat, hunting, jobs, education level, and reputation. Having a higher social status would provide players benefits like access to new areas, better housing and jobs, and influence over other citizens. The SSS aims to make level progression more challenging and realistic by incorporating risk factors like a criminal record that could decrease one's social standing.

1. By Michel Desjardins, CPA, CA, CISA, CRISC
A NEW TYPE OF GAME
LEVELLING SYSTEM
All the intellectual property in this presentation is now fully available to all. We are not protecting it.

2. CURRENT LEVELLING SYSTEMS
Currently: game levelling systems are:
• Level based progression
• Activity based progression
• Free form advancement
• Cash in advancement
• Hybrids of the above
*One of the Sources for such info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experience_point#Types
Flaws of it:
• Not following “real life logic”
• Lacks challenge (a.k.a. too easy)
• One way system (no risk)
• Not volatile
• Obsolete (it’s time for a new one)

3. LINK TO REAL LIFE LEVELLING
Real life HAS a “levelling
system”. It’s social status based
in most societies.
Quick rough examples
Company CEO
Mailroom Clerk
Higher
Class
Middle
Class
Lower
Class
Supervisor of
billing department
Top Professional
Boxer
Local champion
boxer
Amateur boxer
Country level
politician
Small city mayor
Simple citizen
Etc.
•It’s only rough examples to show the concept. For more information about social status, please read the following academicians/intellectuals:
•Dennis Gilbert, 2002 - William Thompson & Joseph Hickey, 2005 - Leonard Beeghley, 2004

4. SOCIAL STATUS SYSTEM (SSS)
Main features:
• Based on “real life logic” (without being real life)
• Dynamic system (constant fluctuation)
• Plural logic (most game activities can have a status)
•Challenging (improve or maintain your social status)
Quick rough examples (for a MMORPG)
Head of Army
Footman
Elite
Citizen
Higher
Citizen
Lower
Citizen
Army Captain
Senator
District
Representative
Non-working
Citizen
Head Wizard
Wiz Guild Leader
(decent size guild)
A new Wiz
Etc.
Non-
Citizen
Recidivist
Criminal

5. SSS – HOW IT WORKS
In a nutshell:
• Most activities have a social status
• Highest Social Status at any point in time is your current Social Status.
Quick rough examples
Huntress Level 4
Sportman Level 4
Jade Analy
Bob Lachance
Mie Xioa
Army Level 11
Army Level 12
Politician Level 7
Scholar - Level 5
Wizard Level 17
Artist Level 7
Demonologist Level
2
Citizen Activity Activity Activity
Effective Social
Status
Level 17
Boota Mal
Recidivist Criminal
(a murderer)
Gatherer Level 7 Fighter Level 10 Level 0
Level 5
Level 11

6. SSS – WHAT ABOUT IT?
It can be linked to:
• Player’s area access
• Player’s housing
• Work (job available)
• Reputation System  Good and bad reputation can affect the Social Status of a citizen, especially if the citizen is
having a public career, such as a politician.
• Public Combat  Winning or losing a public performance could impact the Social Status of a citizen. E.g. Reaching the
Top 10 of a combat style or hunting category could propel the citizen to a higher Social Status because of his fame.
• Public Hunting  same as combat. An higher social status might give access to better hunting creatures, grounds, etc.
• Education  Proper education can slightly improve Social Status. Once you get education, you need to apply it. Doing
nothing with it will not make you a higher citizen.
• Crime  Committing crime(s) decrease your Social Status based on the severity of the crime. But globally, even if criminal
actions are possible in the game, it is not encourage. Murdering can lead to lost of Citizenship and housing in the city.
• Offline playing  When a player is offline, his citizen is still online. Not programming offline actions for an active citizen
will influence negatively Social Status.
• Etc.