9min chapter

Writing Excuses cover image

19.18: How to Build Fictional Economies

Writing Excuses

CHAPTER

Unintended Consequences in Fictional Economies

The chapter delves into unintended consequences in fictional economies, featuring examples like the dynamics between testers and coders in bug scenarios and the externalities of a nuclear power plant attracting manatees with warm water. It explores positive and negative externalities, incentive mechanisms, different fictional economy types, and the impact of the tragedy of the commons on economic policies, urging creators to consider broader systems and values when world-building.

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