Politics: What We Know Thus Far (Q&A, Discussion, Etc.)

[Organic]

Here's information recently assembled about TERA's in-game political system. It was originally posted here: http://www.terafans.com/topic/3924-beg-borrow-and-steal-what-we-know-about-politics-in-tera/. Updates will be provided at that original link only.

Updates:

July 19, 2010 (Added new questions)
July 18, 2010 (Added new questions, more "what we know")

There have been a lot of questions on the forums about TERA's political system and quite a few interviews in which they've been asked (but never really answered). I've tried to compile all of the Q&As thus far. I'll keep this updated with community questions so we can better track what we really know.

NOTE: It seems that PVP and Battlegrounds will feature heavily in the political system. As such, this thread will probably cross into PVP discussion often, though this isn't a "PVP specific" thread. Please keep this topic focused on politics and ways in which you can participate in politics.

What's missing for you? What questions haven't been asked (or just aren't in the list)?


WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT POLITICS

HOW WILL POLITICS WORK IN TERA?

1. Political clout can be gained by defeating enemies.
2. Valkyon Points can be earned, in part, by PVP.
3. Guilds active in PVP will be politically active.
4. The political system is a way in which players can interact.
5. There are a number of ways in which players can be elected into office: lobby the community, combat, and wealth.
6. Once in office, players can affect the economy, player interactions, and guild rivalries.
7. Battleground rewards will play a role in politics.
8. The history of each server will be affected by server politics.
9. You can overthrow current elected officials.
10. Guild housing will tie in somewhat to politics.
11. Politics has a direct impact on everything bought/sold, including via the Auction House.
12. Politics will not include castle seiges.
13. Valkyon Points can be used to raise the level of your guild, get guild buffs, and to buy potions from Valkyon stores.
14. Valkyon Points can be obtained from some quests and from battlegrounds.


OFFICIAL COMMENTS

http://www.tera-online.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7644
Valkyon points are part of the political system, and yes they are associated with PvP as well. Political clout can be gained by defeating enemies—especially very skilled ones—or enemies with clout of their own.

http://www.tera-online.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5507
Within TERA, you have the basic bonuses of a guild such as forging a separate identity and being able to chat amongst guild members. In addition to that, there are unique ways in which guilds can participate in the world of TERA, and when we’re able to talk about the political system, you’ll understand. Guilds would be one channel to participate in the political system. Guilds are awesome for the social aspects as well as PvP instances, dungeons, and end game content.

We have a few features that will make TERA different from other MMOGs. One of these is the political system. The political system is a never before seen feature where players can interact with each other to control the flow of the economy, control the flow of the game, and build out on the community, not to just hang out, but to have a purpose.

Yes; there’s always prestige, of course, and we’ll have achievements. Also, guilds that dominate the PvP scene will find themselves in very strong political positions.

Additionally, rewards for Battleground PvP will play a role in the Federation’s political system!

In addition, players will be able to influence the history of each server by participating in the in-game political system.

The political system will shape each server's community in a new and unique way.

http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/84942/page/2
Within TERA, you have the basic bonuses of a guild such as forging a separate identity and being able to chat amongst guild members. In addition to that, there are unique ways in which guilds can participate in the world of TERA, and when we’re able to talk about the political system, you’ll understand. Guilds would be one channel to participate in the political system. Guilds are awesome for the social aspects as well as PvP instances, dungeons, and end game content.

http://www.tera-online.com/news/news_view.php?seq=256&cpage=1
With the political system will it be possible to have a coup de etat? Can we revolt against unfair rulers?” “Yes and encouraged. Politics will be just that, politics.”

Guild members will be elected to office by combat, wealth and popularity. They will have access to buffs, tax rates and "protection".

http://www.tera-online.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1311
*Valkyon medal system
-Cooperations of guild members
-Buffs applied to an entire guild

http://teraonline.info.pl/node/148
However, I can share that it will be heavily dependent on guilds and groups, so PvP players will probably find something very much to their liking in the system.

We're working on implementing guild housing for launch. It's the basis of having a place to congregate as a guild. That'll tie in somewhat to the political system.

http://www.terafans.com/topic/3459-for-the-lore-tera-inteview-transcribed/
Q. Players directly impact the economy?
A. There's a traditional broker house in the game. The political system has a direct impact on everything bought/sold. The political system has players being elected to office.

http://www.terafans.com/topic/3558-thegamervg-e3-tera-interview-transcribed/
"Once elected in this office, players can control lots of different things, from economy to
interactions between players and rivalries between guilds – among others."

tG: Okay, will there be a chance of castle seiges in the end?
B: Right now, it's not currently on our slate

WHAT WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE POLITICAL SYSTEM

1. Is there a karma system for PVP and does that affect your political progression? (E.g. killing lowbies lowers your political clout.)
2. How do you earn Valykon points and do they work like Aion's Abyss Points? (from devthehero)
3. How many Valkyon points are needed to achieve a rank/position in politics?
4. What OwPVP Griefing Countermeasures will be in place, if any? (from Somnicide)
5. Valykon Points had better be pretty complicated or it will be boring. (from rocdog)
6. Is "political clout" something people are willing to spend MANY hours camping for? (from devthehero)
7. Will different Battlegrounds offer different amounts of political clout to be earned?
8. How will the clout from Battlegrounds differ from clout earned via OwPVP?
9. Given "wealth" is listed as a way you can earn election, how much wealth is needed? 1 million gold? 10 million?
10. What kind of discount are you earning from the Auction House for being in office?
11. Can players decree that X guild is now hostiled towards Y guild?
12. How exactly do you overthrow an elected official? Kill them a certain number of times?
13. Since there are no seiges, why will players be motivated to participate in Battlegrounds? (from Stath)
14. What are the rankings/positions of the political system, how do they fit together into a coherent hierarchy? (from Hephaestos)
15. Will the EU version of the game (published by Frogster) offer differences in political mechanics compared with the Korean and US versions? (from Senshi)
16. Will a small guild have the same opportunities as a large guild to impact server politics?
17. In what way will you be able to demonstrate your official position (e.g. special cape/cloak, title above your head)?
18. Can political position be accomplished exclusively through just one avenue or will it require ranking in multiple avenues? (from Hephaestos)
19. How are the Devs going to keep the goldfarmers/sellers from gaining political power through wealth? (from Hephaestos)
20. Are elected offices per player server/account or character-specific (e.g. you are a "Governor" on your Priest, but then move to an alt. Will the community still recognize you as a "Governor" when you're on your alt?)?
21. At what level can you begin participating in the political system? (from PerfectLife)
22. Can you loose [Valkyon] points if you die? Is there a way to lose your clout? (from Senshi)
23. Can you use Valkyon Points to buy PvP armor or is it just a ranking system? (from Senshi)
24. Will there be different governments for each race? Or is it based on guilds? (from Calethan)
25. Will wealth balance with the other ways to earn clout? Money is tradeable and should be balanced. (from WARDJP)
26. Will NPCs refuse to sell to or buy from you based on your clout (e.g. like an "alignment system")? (from tailzdafox and Akami)
27. Under the assumption that a governor wants to increase taxes by 200% could we have a black market reputation that you could gain trust with via quests, pvp etc. which would negate taxes and/or have a limited inventory? (from Akami)
28. Will guilds be able to ally themselves, so that they can share in the political power of a dominant guild or if multiple guilds could band together to combat the in-power group? (from Raitei)
29. Will PVP efforts to kill a declared enemy be available anywhere, including cities, or will NPCs intervene and make the effort not worthwhile? (from Lethys)
30. Will the history of each server be kept someplace accessible by players (e.g. a Lorekeeper in the capital cities you can speak with to see a list of all the "Mayors" of TERA in the past)?
31. Will the political system give control of the major cities? I agree with the capital cities being safe-zones. So long as they are controlled by the "in-power group". (from Leonyx)
32. Will guilds have any advantages such as gaining specific, elitist and advantageous location to build their guild house depending on their political influence? (from Aledark)
33. Are there set windows during which officials can be overthrown (e.g. Aion fortress raids) or are those officials constantly threatened? There's concern about a "daytime" guild getting overthrown at night and vice versa. (from Mio88)
34. How often can political power shift and elected officials be ousted? Daily? Once a week? (from Mio88)
35. Will there be voting booths? (from Zeppelin)