Business & Commerce
Goal: help you start, run, and role-play believable businesses that power the city economy—without turning it into a spreadsheet simulator. Win with service, vibe, and relationships, not exploit pricing.
Quick actions
Start clean, scale clean1) Quick Start (3 steps)
This is the fastest clean path from idea → open doors.
Choose a lane that creates daily scenes: service, logistics, or professional work.
Apply at City Hall / Business Licensing (Discord form or in-city clerk). Choose Sole Prop or LLC if supported.
Lease a marked storefront, or run mobile until you outgrow it. Post hours and show up consistently.
2) Owning a business: how it works
Keep it believable and secure—don’t let mechanics outrun RP.
- Keys & access: only whitelisted employees should have stash/register access.
- Inventory: stock via your supplier route; no /give, no dupes, no shortcuts.
- Registers & pricing: price fair. Post menus/signage so disputes are clean.
- Receipts: invoices help PD/insurance/tax scenes and keep disputes fair.
The loop matters more than profit. Consistency builds reputation, partners, and story momentum.
3) Licenses & special permits
Permits keep events and commerce fair. Play the paperwork lightly but consistently.
Serve-safe behavior. Check age for alcohol if present. Outdoor music after-hours needs a permit.
Security plan + occupancy. Metal detectors optional (RP it). Lines & lists create scenes.
Diagnose first; show parts list; test drives logged; no VIN tampering without deep crime RP.
Title logs, temp plates, returns/impounds process. Rentals are a gold new-player lane.
Non-lethal first. Coordinate PD on arrests/detainment. Professional tone is mandatory.
Filming is OK. Respect private interiors and green zones. Don’t obstruct scenes.
4) Money, banking & taxes (light RP)
Keep it simple. Keep it believable. Keep receipts.
Deposit earnings often. Carry change for tips. Don’t flex stacks in risky areas.
Use /bill or written receipts. Unpaid invoices can become civil court or collections RP.
Expect periodic fees or staff-run audits. Keep screenshots/notes if you like paper-trail RP.
5) Hiring & HR
Your staff is your brand. Train them like it matters.
- Give keys/uniforms; explain what areas are staff-only.
- Teach the script: greet → upsell → receipt → thank them.
- Define standards: respect, de-escalation, no OOC flaming.
- Termination: collect keys same day; settle last pay IC.
- Hourly + tips (best for service lanes).
- Commission per sale/service (best for auto, retail).
- Pay on shift end to avoid long-term disputes.
6) Supply chain & logistics
Deliveries and shortages are story fuel—use them.
Choose one: wholesaler, craft chain, or contracts with other players. Lock it in and build relationships.
Announce arrivals. Use alleys/loading bays. Don’t block emergency lanes. Turn delays into scenes.
7) Fair-play & exploit rules
Commerce is a trust system. If it’s abused, it gets shut down.
- No dupes/bug inventory. No staff-only price abuse. No laundering through fake bills.
- Price gouging that griefs (e.g., 10x+ essentials) triggers staff review.
- Staff can freeze registers and audit suspicious flows.
- Cameras/guards are flavor—don’t powergame omniscience.
- Robberies: dialogue first → escalate in steps → keep it short → accept L’s sometimes.
- PD/EMS inspections after incidents are normal—cooperate for better scenes.
8) Marketing & events
A dead business is silent. An alive business posts, hosts, and collaborates.
Flyers, /tweet posts, radio spots, influencer deals, loyalty cards.
Happy hour, car meets, raffles (no gambling exploits), beat-the-clock discounts.
Cater races, sponsor crews, PD charity nights, job fairs, community drives.
9) Disputes & enforcement (IC first)
Resolve it like adults. Receipts make it fair.
Repeated OOC issues can lead to warnings/strikes and license action. Don’t turn commerce into an OOC fight.
10) Quick checklists
These keep businesses consistent and easy for staff to support.
- License approved
- Location/vehicle set
- Menu & prices posted
- Supplier locked
- Register & stash secured
- Hiring post drafted
- Open: stock, signage, promo post, float cash
- Close: count drawer, deposit, lock doors, clean props
- Post hours so customers don’t guess
11) Growth path
Scale only when your lane is stable and your reputation is real.
Pop-up/mobile, 1–2 staff.
Leased storefront, set hours, vendor contracts.
Second location, event program, sponsorships.
Franchise/distribution, citywide partnerships, charity/PR.
V2 expansions (not enforced yet)
Reserved space so V2 can land clean without rewriting the guide.