As a more accurate replacement for the Technology scale in mainstream use by NS roleplayers, I have gone and created my own scale(s) which i have dubbed the Civilization Index. But why you ask? It's because i find the current NS scale of "PT,MT,PMT,FT,& FanT" to be too vague, simple, and generic for the in-depth roleplay community of NationStates, so I came up with an improved version.
This Index is more diverse and accurate for each nation, following three different scales: A modified version of the Halo Technological Achievement TIers which measures a nations technology level, a modified version of the Kardeshev scale which measures how far spread a nation is within the multiverse, and a custom scale that measures a nation's total sphere of influence within the multiverse.
When you combine the three scales that will be listed below, you have a much more accurate classification for your nation. For example, using the Civilization Index, I can say that my country Querria is a Tier 3, Type III Superpower. On the other Scale I would have to explain it like "Querria is a MT/ PMT nation with hints of FT and FanT(basically 4/5 of the technology tiers)
Technology scale
This is basically an improved & more accurate version of what is already in use in NS. It describes in tiers how far a player's civilization has advanced technologically. Although this is a more accurate scale, it is not a pinpoint scale and a player's nation may not fit into one specific category. Magic is not defined in this scale.
Population spread scale
This is the modified version of the Kardeshev scale, meant to illuminate how far spread a civilization is within the universe. In this case, the Population spread scale shows how far a nation's citizens can travel, traded/exchanged goods, etc. within the multiverse.
Government scale
This scale shows players the total sphere of influence a government or organization has over the multiverse. It can extend from no government/Anarchy to the entire multiverse, and is classified by name rather than number, Tier or type..
So now that you have read everything, you may ask what should you do with this now? You may want to convert from the old NS scale and use this one. It's much better, and can expand your RP horizon, and increase the RPs you get involved in since people will have a general understanding of your civilization. So I'm going to make a basic application below. All you have to do is fill it out and post it as a reply here. Then people will know what to expect somewhat of your nation when you Roleplay. For RP purposes, I may come up with different combinations for them to list as classifications. Also feel free to post more than once or edit your post if your civilization changes in any of the categories.
Application form
Note: Only pick 1 Tier, 1 type, and 1 government size. If you think your civilization is in-between two Tiers/types/sizes, then pick the larger one.
This Index is more diverse and accurate for each nation, following three different scales: A modified version of the Halo Technological Achievement TIers which measures a nations technology level, a modified version of the Kardeshev scale which measures how far spread a nation is within the multiverse, and a custom scale that measures a nation's total sphere of influence within the multiverse.
When you combine the three scales that will be listed below, you have a much more accurate classification for your nation. For example, using the Civilization Index, I can say that my country Querria is a Tier 3, Type III Superpower. On the other Scale I would have to explain it like "Querria is a MT/ PMT nation with hints of FT and FanT(basically 4/5 of the technology tiers)
Technology scale
This is basically an improved & more accurate version of what is already in use in NS. It describes in tiers how far a player's civilization has advanced technologically. Although this is a more accurate scale, it is not a pinpoint scale and a player's nation may not fit into one specific category. Magic is not defined in this scale.
- Tier 7
Tier 7 is one of the most basic and stable states, with limited weaponry and environmental threats. Societies tend to be small and scattered, driven by subsistence farming, foraging, or hunter-gathering needs. Technology is limited to simple hand made tools, weapons, or agrarian implements and methods, but a very broad understanding of planetary and solar mechanics is not uncommon.
In other words, picture a civilization in this tier using medieval technology. This means the civilization would use swords/spears, composite bows/crossbows, & simple catapults for weapons. They would use basic paper for communication, and use animals and simple machinery like wagons for transportation. Basically anything that is pre-Industrial Age. - Tier 6
Tier 6 Civilizations are usually at a technological level equivalent to Industrial age Europe and America. The use of steam technology is common in ships and other machines. Inventions and products used in Real-life 1800's would fall into this category. Basic firearms are in use, such as muskets, primitive rifles and revolvers, etc.
Pinnacles of this age would be basic automobiles, biplanes, blimps, lever action weapons, and basic medical technology. - Tier 5
Tier 5 civilizations usually begin focusing on clean energy production. The occasional belligerent civilization will use atomic energy for weapons, often resulting in mass extinctions. In-atmosphere craft are a hallmark, often leading to manned space flight, albeit in a short-scale.
In other words, a civilization in this Tier would be using WW2/cold-war era technology. a nation here could have satellites in orbit around their planet, but may not have the technological prowess to put orbital weapon platforms into orbit. If they did it would be something like a kinetic rod cannon or something or the like, used to drop missiles from orbit. - Tier 4
Tier 4 is often the final resting place for species intelligent enough to break free from their cradle's surface only to fill the gulf surrounding it with war. Their comfort-focused technology can include medical advances.
In other words this would be the era where a civilization would border MT & PMT on the old scale. A civilization could have spaceships, orbital weapon platforms, Mechs with wheels/treads, & advanced satellites but WOULDN'T have efficient FTL, which would be required for FT civilizations on the other scale. - Tier 3
Species has efficient FTL navigation, mass drivers, asynchronous linear-induction weapons, holocrystal storage and semi-sentient AIs (though their creation requires memory transfer from the freshly deceased and/or Flash Cloning). They have had no outside influence.
Basically, a nation in this Tier would have Magnetic(Kinetic)/Gauss weapons such as MAC cannons and Railguns, have spaceships with FTL technology, terminators or walking warrior/servant drones, but could still use MT technology since using this technology at Tier 3 might be expensive. There could also be kinetic shielding for vehicles like spacecraft, naval ships, & aircraft. basic power armor could also be used. While you have FTL travel, it may not be accurate enough to land you right at your destination, and your spacecraft will usually have to fly a ways to reach it's destination post-FTL travel. - Tier 2
The species has the ability to perform exceedingly accurate FTL navigation, near-instantaneous communication and man-portable application of energy manipulation.
At this Tier, Laser/plasma weapons could be used, as well as energy shields which could shelter people and things from energy weapons like nuclear weapons. As well, regular communication across a galaxy the size of the milky way could be possible. With FTL travel, you could arrive at your destination without having to fly to get there. - Tier 1
The species has the ability to manipulate gravitational forces, create AI with full sentience, fabricate super-dense materials, perform super-accurate FTL navigation, the ability to create life, and the ability to create worlds. Weapons such as highly concentrated beam weapons, hard-light weapons, and portable vibration/wave weapons may be used. - Tier 0
It is suspected that civilizations at this tier can travel across galaxies and universes and accelerate the evolution of intelligent life. Along with this the use of neural physics is suggested at this stage. Weapons such as (sub)particle weapons & handheld anti-matter weapons may be used. FTL Space travel may be near instantaneous, with use of portals directly linking two points. Military forces may be near invincible against civilizations weaker than tier 1.
In other words, a species at this stage could be said to have achieved transcendence, or become transsentient. A transsentient being may thus be considered beyond any recognized being and be on the level of godhood.
Population spread scale
This is the modified version of the Kardeshev scale, meant to illuminate how far spread a civilization is within the universe. In this case, the Population spread scale shows how far a nation's citizens can travel, traded/exchanged goods, etc. within the multiverse.
- Type I
Type I populations rarely leave their country, and the nation itself may practice a form of isolation from the rest of the multiverse. The Population trades strictly amongst locals or natives within their country, and only uses resources present within it's borders. The resources used may only be primitive fossil fuels. - Type II
Type II populations travel at a regional level, and may tend to restrict trade to nations/civilizations in the native country's immediate surrounding areas. The population may draw resources from the region. The civilization may use primitive forms of cleaner energy production. - Type III
Type III populations travel at a planetary level, and trade with all other civilizations on the population's native planet, or on surrounding moons. The populations may use resources from all over the planet, and seek to use renewable energy(i.e. solar energy, or power of the sun) - Type IV
Type IV populations travel at a stellar level, exploring and conducting going about their business across their native solar system.The populations will use resources located all throughout it's local solar system, and even surrounding space. populations may have advanced forms of energy use. - Type V
Type V populations travel at an interstellar level, but have yet to explore their entire galaxy. The populations will use available resources of solar systems they inhabit or enter, and may have even more advanced forms of energy consumption and usage. - Type VI
Type VI populations travel at a galactic level. They have explored their entire galaxy, and make use of the resources available to them across their galaxy. Such populations may have extremely high level of resource/energy consumption & usage, but highly clean, renewable, and efficient methods of energy production. - Type VII
Type VII populations travel at an intergalactic scale, and may even travel the entire multiverse. The population would be transcendent at this stage, and may have perfected energy consumption, or have little need for resources as they're capable of producing their own materials.
Government scale
This scale shows players the total sphere of influence a government or organization has over the multiverse. It can extend from no government/Anarchy to the entire multiverse, and is classified by name rather than number, Tier or type..
- Anarchy
There is no government, as the area where a country stands has descended into Anarchy, with the closest thing to an organization being street gangs. - Factional/civil war
The country is in chaos, as different faction vie for control of the nation. A country in a state of internal conflict, no matter how large they are, falls into this category if there are two or more faction within the nation fighting for control. - National/local level
There is a regular government, but has little to moderate influence on an international scale. The government itself has little no control of events outside it's own borders. - Regional power
The government exerts notable control/influence within it's region, and may even have a few colonies. It should however not be mistaken as a superpower since it does not generally have the resources to be a big international player within the multiverse. - Superpower
The government is working at an international level, competing against other powers for influence and control of planets the government has established settlements/bases on. At this level a government may have multiple colonies, taken over different nations, and even have colonies on different planets. However the government does not have total control over any singular planetoid/planet. - Planetary power
government exerts controls over multiple planets/planetoids within it's solar system. Generally all explored planets, planetoids, & moons have a settlement, base, or encampment that is under the protection influence of the government. The government does not have control of space beyond it's solar system. - Interstellar power
The government exerts control over different star systems, and may be in the process of expanding outwards to gain control of more systems in it's galaxy. There is generally a unified planetary government based on the nation's home planet, and a central government/federal system to govern it's territories. - Galactic power
A government that exerts control over it's entire galaxy. It commits most of it's attention to maintaining law and order amongst the many stars and different systems within it's galaxy, and looks outward only to expand it's control or to explore another galaxy. - Intergalactic power
The government controls multiple galaxies, which makes it a ridiculously large empire even by RL sci-fi standards. The nation has to be really advanced to exert this amount of control, and the government is too be assumed to have large amounts of power over it's domain. - Universal power
Any governments that become a universal power are not to be taken lightly. It is entirely likely that these very governments or organizations build entire worlds, and can crush one easily. The government may also have the ability to travel to a different universe, and exert control over that universe too.
So now that you have read everything, you may ask what should you do with this now? You may want to convert from the old NS scale and use this one. It's much better, and can expand your RP horizon, and increase the RPs you get involved in since people will have a general understanding of your civilization. So I'm going to make a basic application below. All you have to do is fill it out and post it as a reply here. Then people will know what to expect somewhat of your nation when you Roleplay. For RP purposes, I may come up with different combinations for them to list as classifications. Also feel free to post more than once or edit your post if your civilization changes in any of the categories.
Application form
Note: Only pick 1 Tier, 1 type, and 1 government size. If you think your civilization is in-between two Tiers/types/sizes, then pick the larger one.
- Code: Select all
[b]Nation[/b]:
[b]Tier[/b](pick one):
[b]Type[/b](pick one):
[b]Government Size[/b](Pick One):
[b]Special Notes about your civilization[/b]:
