The Pistons at the halfway mark.

When Joe Dumars made the trade for AI shortly after the start of the season I had no reason to doubt the move and even applauded it in some ways. At the time of this trade the Pistons roster, at that time, played uninspired and without much passion. In sum, they looked as if they were simply going through the motions of playing Basketball and it was obvious that the roster needed a major shake up. And so, Joe D moved Mr. Big Shot and brought in the Answer. After the trade, many people asked me what I thought, and I said that, on the surface, it looks like it could work, but we will know for sure by the All Star break...Well, with the All Star break upon us, it's pretty obvious that this move didn't work out nearly as well as Joe Dumars, or myself, had hoped. As of today, the Pistons are a pedestrian 27-24 after losing 7 of their last 10 and are clinging to their playoff lives, in 7th place in the Eastern Conference only a pathetic 3 games ahead of the lowly Milwaukee Bucks who haven't done jack diddly in over 3 decades. Needless to say The Answer has done nothing but raise more questions about the current Piston's roster and their ability to continue to be one of "the" teams to beat in the Eastern Conference...One good thing, however, remains-Joe Dumars...No one can question the ability of Joe Dumars as a President and General Manager of a pro sports franchise, and anyone who does is out of their minds. Even the greatest makes mistakes, and as one of my favorite fictional characters of all times once said (or something close): "Being a rather bright man, when I make mistakes, they tend to be larger than most other people's mistakes". Joe Dumars is widely regarded-in all sports-as one of the best at what he does, and I, for one, still trust him completely. The Pistons most likely will end their record run of 7 (or was it 8?) consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals, but I have little doubt that Joe D will have them right back there again in no time...So have faith Piston's fans. The bad boys may not be so bad this year, but so long as Joe D is running the franchise they will always have the potential to be one of the best and most consistent teams in the league, and this year is but a mere bump in the road as far as I'm concerned and it won't be too long before we will be hearing "DDDDEEEETRRRROIIIIIITTTT BAAAASSSSKKKKETTTBALLLLLL" again in the NBA finals.

Bra's for 6 year old girls?!

That's right, the company which makes the Bratz toy line is now making "padded" bras for 6 year old girls. Don't believe me? Read the story at the link above...This is the sort of thing that makes me sick to my stomach at how far our society has digressed in the last 2 decades. What the fuck do 6 year old girls need a padded bra for? Well, according to a spokes'woman' for the company, "The idea of the padding is for girls to be discreet as they develop." She HAS to be kidding? Most girls don't "develop" until 11 or 12 years old, or once they hit puberty. Never in my life have I see a 6 year old girl in need of a "bra" of any kind and even the idea that they would market such a product to 6 year old girls is appalling to me. The Bratz makers have sunk way to far on this one. Not only does their main product line imply that it's "cool" and "hip" for young girls to be "brats", but now they are trying to tell pre-pubescent girls that they should strap on a padded bra and show off what they "could" have one day! There aren't enough characters in Mandarin Chinese to express how appalled I am by this-much less the English language-and, to be frank, I'm a little scared for this next generation. As if starting with my generation (Gen X) it wasn't bad enough with promiscuity portrayed has cool and something that every 15 year old girl was doing by MTV and others during the 80's, we have digressed to the point that we are telling 6 year old girls (who at that age look more like boys in terms of "development") that they should be wearing padded bra's so that they can "hide what they have" (according to the spokeswoman). As if they have something to hide!!! Good fucking grief!!!! I can't say it enough-what the fuck is the world coming too, making stuffed and/or padded bra's for 6 year old girls!...I digress...Before I blow an important organ I will calm down and say this: we should all boycott this company so as to send them the message that 6 year old girls should STAY 6 year old girls, which means they don't need an effing bra!...For at least another 6 years anyways.

Raise 2 Power

Raise to Power is a video game created by James Beckley and Ryan Ryles and is available for sale. Price is negotiable but starts at $25,000, plus creative control and 2% royalties on all game sales.
Below is the 14 page script condensed to fit this format and does not include all of the co creators ideas for the game. Pay special attention to all footnotes as several include concepts and ideas not currently used by the gaming industry but which are critical elements to Raise 2 Power.
Interested purchasers should contact Ryan Ryles @ ryanryles.comcast.net to discuss terms.

GAME DISCRIPTION

Game takes place in present times in Maldita[1], an Ultra Modern[2] city located south of the equator but with a predominantly Caucasian and Asian population. City public services and transportation systems are based on next gen technologies from modern times. Co-creator’s consider the game play to be first person Sim (always seen through Mick’s eyes except where applicable)…Raise Mick Royalty from entry level mail room clerk to the President of M.J.E. Along the way Player earns street cred, public cred and business cred for Mick, helping to gain him in public notoriety (can be positive or negative) as well as clout in the International Corporate business world. Will Mick be the Ladies man? Master of the board room and his pocket book? The fly on the wall manipulator? The going nowhere, wasting his money underachiever? Or the street bum low life? Only the Player decides where Mick goes if life, but do you have what it takes to make the right decisions for Mick to Succeed?[3]

GAME SETTING/PLOT

Description/Objective: To work Mick Royal to the top as President of M.J.E.

Game starts with scene depicting Mick Royals (Royalty) college graduation, at which he is presented with 3 options: A. Mr. Royal can get Mick an entry level job as a mail clerk at MJE. B. Continue on w/your education. Get your masters degree and start off with a mid level management job for the competitor of MJE-WOR. C. Down Low knows someone who can help you make some “quick” cash.

Option A: This is intended to be the balanced path through the game. Mick takes a job at MJE Mr. Royal gives Mick a $25,000 graduation gift and the Player is told when he will meet “Morty” for his interview. Game fast forwards[4] (or tutorial) to Mick’s interview with Morty at M.J.E. where he is given his first job and is told he starts on Monday (Interview will take place on a Thursday).

This is the most balanced option of the game. Taking this option provides Player with balanced game play and scenes from all character and story line aspects of the game.

Mick is provided with a weekly “paycheck”[5] that Player is intended to spend at city stores to improve Mick and so that Mick can impress his bosses, coworkers, general citizenry and the ‘ladies’ and, in general, help him to move up the corporate ladder.

Moderate amounts of earning Business, Public, and Street Cred are available with this option.

Option B: This the slowest level of play and should only be chosen by those Players looking for the detailed corporate environment. Mick must make many savvy business decisions, working his way around not only the corporate politics between W.O.R. and M.J.E., but will also have to deal with more CNU involvement in the game. When the opportunity presents itself, Player must figure out a creative ‘pain’ free way of leaving W.O.R. and going to work for M.J.E. to win the game.

This option provides the most opportunities to earn Business Cred and limited opportunities to earn Public and Street Cred.

Option C: Can be a medium or fast pace to the game depending on the decisions Player chooses to make.

This option is the “illegal” one in which Mick is offered a job to earn some “quick cash” from one of his closest friends in High School, Down Low. The job is as a numbers runner for the CNU, from which Mick will be given opportunities to advance up through the CNU.

Taking this option Mick doesn’t have the opportunity to enter into the business world until near mid game (age 32-35) but advances more quickly up the corporate ladder once he is employed by MJE thanks to the contacts Mick made w/in the company through his illegal connections.

Option A.

This is the “straightest” path through the game. The job Mr. Royal gets Mick his first job at his friend Morty’s company-“Mortimar Jones Enterprises”. MJE manufactures advanced artificially intelligent military weapons and Mr. Royal gives Mick a $25,000 graduation gift to help establish his life. Player must utilize this gift wisely-selecting Mick’s first apartment, vehicle and wardrobe as well as making sure Mick has the money to entertain himself and meet people on the streets-especially the ladies. Mick’s first job is as a mail room clerk, located at MJE’s headquarters (with golf course on coastal island)[6]. As weeks pass by Mick will earn pay[7] and be put in situations where he will have to make business and personal decisions throughout the game. Each decision Mick makes affects the story line of the game to some degree and, depending on the outcome of each situation, will be the basis for how much “cred” Mick earns when completing each task.

To impress his bosses and get noticed, certain sub games will randomly appear as the work week “passes by”. (Transitions in the form of “slide shows” will be used to pass hours spent at work.) Once away from work, Player is able to free-roam Mick about the city: visiting stores and buying cloths, cars, golf clubs, darts, pool cues, getting haircuts, going to clubs, the movies, etc…. Doing the things that make you look your best will impress your bosses. Getting hair cuts[8], buying a car, and purchasing nice cloths, and even golf clubs to play at the company golf course. Later levels of the game require buying even more expensive cars, nicer sets of golf clubs, limo’s, airplanes, boats, etc., to impress company share holders and bosses to help Mick rise through the ranks to become President at M.J.E.

Option B:

This path provides the most twists and turns to the game.

Mick starts off with no monetary gift from his father but will get a $50k signing bonus should he decide to go to work for WOR right away. This path is only for the player who seeks the detailed corporate environment experience and will require many savvy business decisions involving not only WOR’s direct competitor MJE, but also dealing with greater Mafia involvement and the controlling owner of WOR-Wang Overton[9].

Mick chooses to get his Master’s degree in International Business from Maldita University.

Mick will have a few options to earn some money by winning games of pool, darts and bowling as well as possibly meeting a future girlfriend and or wife[10] during the slide show presentation that reflects his extra 2 years of education. At his graduation ceremony, ‘associates’ of WOR offer Mick a mid level management job which Player can choose to take or not. Should Mick choose to work for WOR, he must eventually work for M.J.E and achieve CEO status to win game. If Mick chooses to not work for WOR his fall back option is Option C.

10 years after working for WOR[11], Mick will get offered a job at M.J.E. To eventually win the game he must take this position, but he does so at the expense of one of his good friend Danny Connor- who also works for WOR and is the primary reason for them offering him a job.

NOTE: Mick does not have to take the option to work for M.J.E., but if he doesn’t he dies shortly there after in a meaningless car crash.

In deciding to leave WOR to go to work for M.J.E. Mick makes an enemy of his long time friend Danny Connor who is in a high enough position at WOR to make Mick’s professional life difficult at best at M.J.E. thanks to his secret connections to the CNU and his personal relationship with WOR owner, Wang Overton.

Option C:

This is the illegal path of the game.

This provides the most opportunities to earn “street cred” and limited opportunities to earn “business cred” early on. Depending on the decisions you make, the street cred you earn can adversely impact your public cred until you enter the business world-even possibly preventing you from entering the business world.

Mick earns no regular pay check when taking this option and must rely on random criminal challenges and game challenges (i.e. darts, pool, drinking contests, etc…) to earn his money.

Mr. Royal gives Mick $75k as a graduation gift, but Down Low knows someone who can help him makes some ‘quick cash’ as a runner for the CNU. 5 years into this option Mick must decide between going to work for MJE as an ‘inside man’ for CNU or stay as a petty street crook with a few options to rise deeper into the ranks of the CNU.

If Mick chooses to go to work for MJE, he quickly rises through the ranks thanks to his criminal connections but does so at the expense of his public cred and the expense of his friendship with Down Low.

If Mick chooses not to go to work at MJE, he dies a meaningless death at 32 years old[12 and player sees very little of game except at the street level and experiences little of the game play and its story lines.

Suggested Story Lines

Game design is such that hard story lines are unnecessary unless where expressly desired by co-creators.

To rise through the ranks of M.J.E.’s world headquarters and become president of the company, Player must work his way from entry level worker in a department to assistant manager of a department to head of that department[13]. Mick must achieve department head status in no less than 5 departments at M.J.E.’s headquarters before he can be considered for a possible V.P. promotion or as Morty’s “right hand man”.

--Across all options Darla Dunnigan is a major love interest of Mick’s until he either meets or has another girlfriend or wife.

--In options A and B, Mick is involved in a major battle with Fierce somewhere during Mick’s early 40’s in which he must kill Fierce to survive.

--In options A and B, Mick is involved in a major battle with The Hitman somewhere in his 30’s. The Hitman survives (regardless of option) only to be eliminated by Fierce just prior to Fierce’s battle with Mick later in Mick’s life.

--In option A, Bradley Snow secretly begins helping Mick achieve his secret ambition after he believes that Mick knows about his affair with fellow board member Jennifer Middleton. This happens sometime between the ages of 28-30 for Mick and begins a rapid rise to a V.P. position w/in M.J.E.

--Across all options are random occurrences of CNU attempts to hijack M.J.E. goods being distributed across town. These do not play out as scenes in the game but as random happenings in the city that can happen at any time.

--In option A, every time Mick rises to the head of a department he has a meeting with Morty on his progress in M.J.E.

--In option B, Mick’s falling out with Danny Connor happens at the local WOR “watering hole” where Mick and Danny get into a physical fist fight that is broken up by members of the CNU and/or bouncers of the bar.

--In options A and B, periodic scenes of the M.J.E. board making decisions and discussing strategies of how to deal with WOR and the growing CNU threat to their distribution network; to be followed by scenes of Wang Overton discussing similar strategies with Tony Stromboli, his personal assistant and Fierce.

--In option A, Mick doesn’t deal directly with the influence Wang Overton and WOR and the CNU until he becomes head of the Shipping and Distribution department at M.J.E.’s Maldita headquarters.

Characters/Descriptions[14]

Mick “Royalty” Royal: Described as Caucasian male, age 22-main Character.

Mr. Royal: Described as Caucasian male in his early 50’s-Mick’s Father.

Mortimar “Morty” Jones: Described as Caucasian male in mid 50’s-owner of MJE (developer of Advanced Automated Intelligent weaponry).

Wang Overton: Described as Asian male in early 50’s. He is known as “Phalis” behind closed doors in the business world; owner of Wang Overton Robotics (WOR), main competitor to MJE.

Chen Lee: Described as Asian male in mid 30’s-Wang Overton’s right hand man.

Antone “Big Tony” Stromboli: Described as ‘stereotypical’ mafia head in mid 40’s. Known as “The Noodle” behind closed doors in the business world; Head of the CNU (Criminal Network Underground).

The Hitman: Described as Caucasian male of unknown age-CNU enforcer.

Fierce: Described as Asian male in late 20’s-WOR enforcer.

James “Down Low” Morris: Described as Caucasian male, age 23-one of Mick’s friends. He is a small time crook and runner for the CNU who can get him a job making some quick cash.

Danny Conner: Described as Caucasian male age 22-one of Mick’s closets’ friends but works for WOR. Will become a major rival’s of Mick’s midgame (depending on decision made) in both his love life and his professional life.

Darla “D.D.” Dunnigan: Described as Caucasian female age 21-Mick’s “BFF” since early childhood and his first and possibly (depending on decisions) main love interest.

The Board (board code names in parenthesis)

“C.E.O.”: Mortimar “Morty” Jones. Described as Caucasian male in his mid 50’s…Founder and sole owner of M.J.E.-is a good friend of Mr. Royalty’s and helps Mick get started at his company. He is rarely seen except at board meetings and at the MJE Country Club.

“C.F.O.”: Danny “Deep Pockets” Patterson. Described as Caucasian male in his late 40’s to early 50’s…Known as DP on the street, he is the main ‘bad guy’ in the company and is attempting a hostile takeover of M.J.E. with the help of Wang Overton.

“V.P. of Northern Operations: Bradley “B.S.” Snow. Described as Caucasian male representative from Northern Operations in early 50’s…Morty’s closest and longest associate on the board; secretly helps Mick rise through the ranks of M.J.E.

“V.P. of Southern Operations: Rico “Rick” Estatuto. Described as a Latino male representative to the MJE Board from its South Operations in his mid 40’s and known as “Spic n’ Span” on the streets…Is helping Deep Pockets to take control of M.J.E. and has family connections to the CNU and Tony Stromboli.

“V.P. of Central Operations”: Jennifer “Inner” Middleton. Described as Caucasian female member of the board in her late 30’s…Is the Board newest member at the start of the game and only appears during board meetings and randomly throughout the game. Is secretly having an affair with Bradley Snow.

“V.P. of International Operations”: Matthew “Chin” Lee. Described as Asian male in his late 50’s from the Far East and a former employee of Wang Overton’s still with close ties to WOR-especially within their research and development departments.

“V.P. of research and development”: Maximillion “Max” Jones. Described as a Caucasian male in his early 40’s who will be Mick’s primary competition in rising to power of M.J.E.[15] Is the man and mind behind many of the products produced by M.J.E. but rarely seen except at board meetings.

“V.P. of Product Distribution”: Robert “Dole” Smith. Described as a Black male member of the board in his late 50’s-is constantly battling attempts by Tony Stromboli’s gang to steel M.J.E. weapon shipments.

“V.P. of Accounting and Finance”: Kathy “Stat” Morris. Described as a Caucasian female member of the board in her mid 50’s who is only seen at board meetings and randomly throughout the game.

“V.P. of Marketing and Public Relations”: Ryan “Mouth Piece” Ryles. Known as “The Mouth” on the streets; described as a Caucasian male in his mid 40’s…Head of M.J.E.’s marketing arm and the voice and face behind all broadcast statements put forth by MJE. He is being strong armed by Tony Stromboli and “Rick” to help Deep Pockets take over MJE.

Character Development(s)

Game play is First Person Sim (Sim), as such player can improve Mick by purchasing residences, vehicles, and clothing at various stores throughout Maldita. Mick will have option to “pimp out” and change both his place of residence and his transportation. Salon and Gym/Martial Arts businesses provide Player with the option of improving physical appearance in game. Type of food Player has Mick eat also affects Mick’s over all health. Additionally, amount of sleep Mick gets affects his performance and decision making throughout game.

**Character interactions-Mick has the ability to interact with every character, computer generated or otherwise, in the game[16]. Character interaction is essential to game play. It is through character interaction that game and plot are formed and how story lines develop. However, main game objective always remains the same.

Gym/Martial Arts option[17]-Player must be able to afford the monthly fees to belong to one the Gym’s throughout Maldita. Should Player choose not to belong, Mick grows out of shape and fat, slowly, over time.

As a member of any gym, Player has the option to “Auto” workout Mick or actually perform some of the exercises and challenges which, depending on Player performance, will improve Mick and also be considered as “side games” with challenges and rewards, as well as providing opportunity for Mick to meet other people.

Martial Arts studios offer Mick the option to learn how to protect himself and fight back (where necessary). Although not needed to win at the game, it is recommended that Player at least take Mick through the basics at a studio. Option to fast forward or play the training games will also be available.

Clothing/Accessory Stores-Throughout downtown Maldita are various specific clothing and accessory stores which Mick can walk into and shop at any time, but can only purchase from when he has enough $’s. Outside of downtown, these will be represented as a “SuperCenter” as part of corner shopping districts in the Burbs surrounding Maldita. Player will have a preview option.

Salons-These are where Mick can change his hairstyle and facial appearance. Type and style vary depending on much Mick can afford at any time. Player will get a preview option.

Furniture Stores-In downtown Maldita there is several high end Furnishing stores, with Furnishing Supercenters located in the burbs area surrounding downtown. This is where Mick can pimp out his residence(s) with furnishings and accessories.

Transportation Dealerships-One location in downtown and several in the Burbs. This is where Mick buys his transportation-the $’s he spends the better transportation he can buy and more he can ‘pimp’ it out. Accessories include paintjob, sound systems, tires and rims, etc. The more Mick spends, the better he can pimp out his transportation.

Residences-Located throughout Maldita. As Mick earns money, he can afford a place of his own that he can pimp out as he sees fit. These will range from apartments and homes in the ghetto to downtown lofts and homes in the Burbs to Penthouse Sweets downtown and “The Crib” in the $$$$ part of town. Mick’s residence is also where player saves game.

Sleep Time-Player has the option to let Mick sleep where he lives. Mick doesn’t have to sleep every night, but lack of sleep affects Mick’s decision making and appearance, and as such, by not sleeping, can have a large impact on game play. Player will have the option to “fast forward” through sleep time or let it time out naturally. Random dreams can occur when Mick sleeps, which can give Player clues and provide additional side and sub missions, as well as some entertainment, making Sleep Time worth watching by the Player.

$$$$-Mick earns $’s for working, winning challenges and completing certain sub games which Player is intended to spend to improve Mick and advance him through game. His pay will increase as he is promoted within the company (or on the street). Mick can access his bank account information by bringing it up on his Cell Phone/PDA or walking into the main branch of the bank that Player chooses to open his account in at start of game or from any ATM. To make purchases Mick must either have cash on him or use his ATM card. Only 4-5 physical Banks will be available and all will be located downtown, however ATM’s will be located throughout city for Player to get money from when its needed (some challenges require Mick to have $’s on him).

“Creds”

For every challenge, sub game and business decision made or completed, Player also earns Cred points. As Player passes through each Cred level he will open more possibilities for Mick in Maldita. To achieve CEO status at MJE and win the game it is necessary for Player to max out their Business and Public Cred. “Key” Decisions appear when Player maxes out any Cred bar/meter. Key Decision must be completed before Player can move on to the next level of that type of Cred.

There are 3 types of Cred: Business, Street and Public.

Business Cred-Is affected (positively or negatively) by the quality and quantity of the decisions you make in the business world or by having conversations with various employees of M.J.E. that you may encounter while out on the streets. Some Street Challenges and Sub games will also affect this Cred.

Street Cred-Is affected (positively or negatively) by the quality and quantity of the decisions you make while playing the game under this option before (if) you enter the business world. Sub games and Challenges under this option also affect this Cred. Depending on how you earn your Street Cred you can negatively affect your Public Cred or positively affect your Business Cred.

Public Cred-Is not earned until late game, although can be affected early game if Street option is taken. Is affected by the quality of Business decisions made that have an affect on the general public (i.e. creating jobs; donating money to the local hospital; etc…).

APPENDIX i: THE PDA

NOTE: Not presented in game format.

Tab 1: BANK-This is where you track your finances. Money has a serious impact on what Player has access to in Maldita. The more you have, the more fun and trouble player can get into.
Tab 2: BIOGRAPHY-Your life story-summarized. The last 2 ‘years’ of your life are in detail. The older the ‘memory’ the less detail it will have. All 3 of Players “Cred” Bars are found here. This is also where you will find explanation for current mission/challenge.
Tab 3: MISSION STATUS-Only avail when on a mission/challenge. Mission status calls you when you start or finish a mission. Player must listen carefully to what must be accomplished to finish mission.
Tab 4: MAP-City map. All of Players homes are highlighted on map and are considered ‘safe houses’ and save points. Player location always shown.
Tab 5: CONTACTS-Everyone character that Player meets and has a conversation with in the game is automatically added here. Info can include phone number or contact info, name, address, profession and bus/friend status, etc…The more conversations player has with certain characters, the more he knows about them.
Tab 6: AUDIO NOTES-This is where any points of interest that player may find worthy of saving, are recorded (saved)-for future reference of course.

APPENDIX ii: MARKETING STRATEGIES

(In brief)

1. Open Sponsorship for all stores and services in Game by outside Corporations for Advertising rights.
2. Target demographic includes an emphasis on men and women over age 34.
3. Co-Creators suggest game rating of MA.
4. FEATURES: “D” pad providing discussion feature opens up unparalleled interaction with computer AI; game designed to be easily adaptable for online play and to incorporate online playing features; unlimited game play (replay) potential; easily expanded (i.e. game expansions/sequels) for both gaming platforms/consoles and PC gaming.
5. Co-Creators expect a target date of no later than Christmas, 2010 for retail release of game on most major consoles and platforms. Sales projections by Co creators available upon request.

---

[1] Purchaser may change city name.

[2] City design is left up to purchaser, however Co creator’s reserve some input on overall design.

[3] Co-creators have their own ideas for “style” and look of Rise 2 Power-our preferences available upon request.

[4] See above.

[5] Mick only “earns” a paycheck under Options A and B.

[6] Co-Creators used a coastal metropolis as the basis for the city with the MJE headquarters/country club located on a small island just off the coast connected by 2 bridges and a underwater tunnel and including several blocks of sky scrapers (downtown set up) that includes most of the city government buildings and public services.

[7] Mick has to live his life. He must set up and manage a checking account to spend his pay. Pay is used to “build up” character throughout game. Pay is used for improving character, upgrading your transportation, and, where applicable, as bribes or to afford things to use as bribes. The ability and options to earn more “pay” will be available through various sub games throughout the main game. Co creators have ideas for this available upon request.

[8] Number and types of stores is left up to purchaser. Co creator’s have their own idea’s which are available upon request.

[9] No street nickname; known as ‘Phalis’ in the board room/business environments.

[10] Creator’s imagine playability to include such things that many people do in real life up too and including the ability for every character of the game to have the ability to be relevant to the end story, including characters encountered in the game that have nothing to do with the story ‘side tracking’ Mick, delaying him from reaching his goal.

[11] Co Creators assume game playability is designed so that this can vary based on Player’s skill at game.

[12] Can vary based on Players skill at game, but this option always ends in the death of Mick.

[13] This imagined as flexible…Game creators admit to no intimate knowledge of specific Corporate structures within the weapons manufacturing industry. As such, how Mick must rise through the ranks is open for change.

[14] All ages given are character age at start of game; all names in quotes are common references which character is referred to through out the game; quoted names for board members are character references only in board room settings unless otherwise specified.

[15] Co Creators assume best time frame for Mick’s Raise 2 Power to be in his mid to late 30’s. As such he doesn’t discover until end of game who his ‘competition’ is until just prior to game end. Preference is that this can vary based on the decisions player makes throughout game, but as of Nov 2008 Co creators know no specifics as to how much data is necessary for a detailed plot.

[16] Interactions are accomplished by utilizing “D” Pad on controller. Recommended actions: “UP” and “DOWN”=Initiate Discussion/General response; “LEFT”=a positive response to a question or statement; “RIGHT”=a negative response to a question or statement. Optional-pressure sensitive.

[17] Specific quantity, style and types of buildings not listed are left up to purchaser to fill, however Co Creators do have recommendations available upon request.

10 Things I would do if I were President: What I left out and why.

You may wonder why I left out things such as reforming immigration policy, eliminating and/or reforming Social Security, Welfare and Medicare, the war against Terrorism and perhaps even repealing the 17th Amendment to the Constitution (which is a large part of why the American Federal bureaucracy has gotten to the point is has)...I excluded immigration because, primarily, it is one of the things that makes America great. It is for good reason that the words on the Statue of Liberty say "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free". America has, and always will be, the land of opportunity and home of the brave, and people from other countries immigrating here is how we became the nation we are today. Our current immigration "crisis" focuses around only one country, Mexico, and its poor masses fleeing their country in the hope of a better future here. The problem is that they came here by the millions in the later half of the 20th and early 21st century and did nothing to acclimate themselves to becoming full American citizens. #9 on my list of things that I would do if I were to become President would go a long way to helping to curb this problem, but, more importantly, as a nation of leaders we should lead and help nations like Mexico better serve their populace and end corruption in those countries whose people seek to immigrate here illegally...As for reforming Social Security Security, Welfare and Medicare the Fair Tax and my other economic ideas cover these problems and would eliminate their collective burdens on our economy...The war against Terrorism is one we are likely to be fighting for the rest of America's existence as there will always be those who hate what America stands for and #'s 6, 7, and 8 would all involve strategies for dealing with this problem...Repealing the 17th Amendment would be a very good idea, but I believe the same thing could be accomplished under my proposal to eliminate lobbying in our nations capital (#10 of my list) and would be much easier to accomplish, I believe, than repealing the 17th Amendment (which would require 2/3rd's of our 50 states to agree on)...Don't be fooled that these 10 ideas are the only 10 ideas I would run on. I have many other things that I would would attempt to accomplish if I were president, but for now, I will keep it to just the 10 things I have posted here. Feel free to comment-especially if you disagree-and, hopefully, you will enjoy what I would do IF I were to ever run for President...RR

10 Things I would do if I were President: #1 Repealing the 16th Amendment to the Constitution and instilling the Fair Tax as our new tax system

In 2006 the IRS tax code measured 44,000 pages. Some estimates say it costs $200 Billion a year for Americans to comply with our current tax codes and some 40% of all American's do not even pay taxes. Making matters worse, our current tax codes punishes the producers and money makers of our society and rewards those who live on the fringes and sponge off of society-obviously this system isn't working and needs to be fixed...Over the years several ideas have been put forth to fix our tax system: from the seemingly simple flat tax to just simplifying our current tax codes, but none have really taken root with American citizen's or our Congress-except for one: the Fair Tax. In a nutshell, the Fair tax is a consumption tax that would be levied at the point of sale for all goods and services. According to the bill submitted before Congress in 2007, the Fair tax would be assessed at 23% on all goods and services at the time of sale or receipt. There are way to many details to go into and I wouldn't be able to give this great idea justice, so for more information I strongly recommend everyone who reads this to visit www.fairtax.org. The Fair Tax would not raise the price of goods or services and would provide 100% accountability within our Federal Government as to how they spend our money. Why? Because discerning exactly how much money the Fed has to spend would be very easy for any American to do and should they over spend or misallocate funds (as they so easily can do now) it would be very easy to see where and how they did so and correct the problem before it gets out of hand. Why do we have to repeal the 16th Amendment to do this? Because the 16th Amendment is what created the IRS and allows for our current tax code, so simply replacing the IRS with the Fair Tax would not be enough to permanently install the Fair Tax as our new tax code...What would having the Fair Tax mean to individual Americans? It would mean that we would all keep 100% of our paychecks. It would mean no more Capital Gains taxes or taxes on investing or saving our money. And, it would mean not having to waste potentially thousands of dollars a year doing, and paying, your 'taxes'. If this all sounds too good to be true, again, I encourage everyone to go to www.fairtax.org. The idea is simple and revolutionary and it would permanently stabilize our economy and prevent economic disasters like the one we are facing now. Needless to say, The Fairtax would be top of any Presidential campaign platform I would run on.

10 Things I would do if I were President: #2 Fixing the Public School System

As with the War on Drugs, it is very evident that our government funded public schools are failing miserably. Every year 10's of thousands of teens drop out of high school and never go back to get their Diploma; 10's of thousands more, thanks to over zealous teachers, are falsely diagnosed with ADD or ADHD and pumped full of Ritalin or some other drug; and more and more of our teachers are becoming nothing more than glamorized baby sitters, feeding our youth with pointless propaganda and structured lesson plans which fail to teach our kids anything and whose only purpose is to "push them through the system". The system is under funded, under staffed and contributing, in large part, to America's cultural and moral decline. Overtly Liberal teachers and their unions care more about keeping their jobs than teaching our kids the proper ways to Read, Write, and do Math as well as what to be American truly means...Unfortunately, I believe our nations public schools are too far gone to be recovered. Between the teachers unions and the bureaucracy which runs them, they are little more than huge day care centers draining our tax dollars and failing our country at all levels. To change this(without getting into the cluttered bureaucracy which is the biggest problem), I would make 3 primary changes: First I would encourage all states to adopt systems by which parents can choose which schools to send their kids too. Secondly, I would invite corporate America into running our school systems. Thirdly, I would require that every child be required to take a "Life Skills" or "Life Lessons" class in which they would be required to get an A before receiving their Diploma and graduating from High School...My first point is easy for most to understand-many states offer some system by which parents can choose which school they want to send their children too, so long as they get their child to and from the school of their choice...My 2nd way to fix Public Schools is perhaps the most controversial of my plans to change the system. (This would apply only to high school age children.) If you approach it logically, education, for the most part, is preparation for people to enter into the work force and be productive citizens (and to get some basic historical perspectives and cultural and social experiences). If you accept that statement, then who better to teach (and train) potential workers than the companies themselves? With enough corporate sponsorship of schools, parents could pick and choose (based on affordability or scholarship qualifications) which high schools to send their kids too, thereby not only laying out their early futures for them, but also giving them the best chance to succeed in their chosen career paths. Imagine how much more efficient our banking and real estate systems would be if they had the ability to train their future work force from an early age? Or for those that wanted to be doctors, nurses and surgeons to begin their training and knowledge gathering from the age of 14 instead of 18? The possible benefits of such a system are mind blowing and if I were president I would encourage every state to make it as easy as possible for as many companies as possible to get involved...On the surface my 3rd idea may seem overly conservative (or liberal depending on your view) but I believe it to be the most important of the 3 ways in which I would change our educational systems. When I graduated from High School in 1991, I knew nothing about how to buy a car, buy a home, enter into a contract with an employer, choose a mate or even how to manage my check book. No where was I taught about how to manage a budget or my time if I owned a home and had a family. Today, this problem is much worse and it is no wonder why so many of our 20 something's are failing in life. In my view, this would be the single most important class that any child would attend and I would require that it be taken twice: once before entering into High School and then again at any time during High School prior to graduating. Only the High School level of this course would be required to be passed with a grade of A-anything less and the class must be retaken before the student can get their Diploma. This last change is, I believe, the most important. Our youth are entering into a rapidly changing world which presents them with situations and decisions they are unprepared for and it is their lack of ability to make the best decision at the best time that has lead to the rapid moral and cultural decline in our country. True, this should be a parents job, but given that our children spend as much time-if not more-at school between the ages of 6 and 18 as they do at home, then the School system should shoulder some of the responsibility for properly raising our children.