Ranking categoriesFor both the economic and the military and influence rankings, a hierarchy system is utilised that categorises countries based on their perceived relative strength according to role-play (measured through the assessment criteria listed below). In this section the explanation for each of the categories is outlined for players to better understand what the rankings mean in real terms.
Economic categoriesUnderdeveloped:These countries are the Third World nations of Terra, whose colonial regimes abused them in order to profit in days gone by. They have often been intentionally undeveloped or developed in such a way as to divide the people therein for the benefit of the metropole. They struggle to provide even basic healthcare or education to their people, and they are highly reliant on international aid and charity. These nations do benefit from the continued focus on the extraction economy, and they often can sell their goods at lower prices than most more developed nations on the international market.
Weak: These countries have economies typically centered around the agricultural or extraction sectors. Though some manufacturing might exist, if it exists on any large scale it is likely to be internationally owned and thus unprofitable for the host nation. Locals might have set up subsistence economies that emphasize manufacturing in the household (cottage industries) to compensate for the lack. Generally, the people of these countries have poor education and health relative to more developed nations. The family unit and the community in these nations are likely to be very important to everyday life, and people are likely to feel much less alienated than in the more automated and high-paced medium and high development nations. Pollution is largely a result of agricultural and extraction byproducts, and these are typically water pollutants. These nations are very often net exporters, but the goods they export may not get them too much in return.
Average: These countries have economies centered most heavily on manufacturing or extraction-based industries, but they might also have some clusters of post-industrial industries along side some agricultural industry. These countries have lower life expectancy, less education, and less income (primarily GDP per capita) than high development nations, but they can also generally boast higher employment than the increasingly automated high development nations, a more citizenry more generally engaged in the political sphere than in the more alienated high development nations, etc. These nations likely are more likely to be heavy polluters than many other nations. Though they are generally less active on international markets than high development nations, their economies often center around export and so trade is relatively important.
Strong and Very Strong: These countries have economies typically centered around services and high tech industries. Culture and political goals can influence what types of industries are most influential, e.g. the agricultural or manufacturing sectors are still important for certain real-world high development economies, but these industries should be secondary and perhaps being phased out. More and higher quality education and health opportunities exist. These countries tend to have higher GDP per capita and median incomes, although inequality may still persist. These countries typically have higher standards of living, but can also experience the consequences of such an economy, such as increased alienation, higher unemployment as automation increases, the decreased importance of the family unit, etc. These countries tend to be active in international markets, but don't necessarily always experience trade surpluses.
Military and influence rankingLimited Power: Countries with limited power have almost not international influence. Countries in this category typically struggle to even protect their own borders from significant threat and will rely primarily on the support of allied nations in order to preserve their territorial integrity in case of attack. In the diplomatic sphere they will almost never be able to exert political influence over other countries while in military terms they will usually possess outdated or limited technology and lack sophisticated military institutions.
Small Power: Small powers are traditionally more reserved in their international affairs dealings, namely in the sphere of intervention or power projection, which they do not have any ability to do. Small powers tend to focus on and prioritize internal goals and objectives instead of international or regional problems. While small powers cannot technically operate by themselves they can, in either an alliance or in concert with great powers, regional power or even a mix of multiple smaller and middle powers play a vital role in the international field. Smaller powers, militarily tend to be small defensive forces that are either limited in size, equipment or financial standing. Is it not to say that small powers are always technologically out of date, poorly equipped or illy financed, it is just that other national priorities in economics, politics or social situations force attend elsewhere.
Middle Power: Middle powers have the ability to focus more outwardly than small powers, they are focused still intently on their own desires and act less defensively than smaller powers but have more "wiggle room" in international affairs and opportunities. Middle powers tend to focus on neighboring problems with an eye toward regional problems and opportunities. Middle powers tend to have more modern, moderate-sized armed forces and have a more active role in international affairs. They should not be mistaken for a regional power due to their limited power of projection to their neighboring states but they should also not be ignored. Middle powers have the ability to band together small powers and take on a secondary role in larger alliances or friendships that provide the ability to tackle much greater problems.
Regional Power: Regional powers are focused on a wide area surrounding their own nation. Regional powers traditionally operate on their own in terms of neighboring states and often band together with local smaller and middle powers to accomplish their goals. Internationally regional powers play an integral role in politics and are sometimes continental leaders that while they have the ability to project power over significant distances, are not able to continue that influence without significant strain. Regional powers, much similar to middle powers, play an integral role in international affairs and are key players in driving international affairs. Regional powers tend to have a lot more freedom when it comes to handling situations or pledging allegiance to a group, organization or other Great Powers. Militarily regional powers often possess larger, modern armed forces with the potential and ability to create and store nuclear, chemical and biological weapons in small quantities or smaller to mid-size aircraft carriers that allow a degree of power projection.
-- Emerging Power: Emerging powers are not quite Great Powers but are not Regional Powers as their role in global affairs has been cemented either by recent past history or by rising virtue. Emerging powers are not necessarily anything but a regional power that has begun to advance past the stage of a regional power and have begun to play a more leading role in global affairs. Emerging powers are considered to be the "new kid on the block" and often play the deciding factor in international affairs.
-- Declining Power: Declining powers are Great Powers that through either instability at home or the opposite they have begun to retreat from international affairs in a leading role and play more of a regional role. Declining powers are still a force to be reckoned with and with the right leadership can turn around to become a Great Power once again.
Great Power: Great Powers, which are traditionally few in number, are leading nations in the world that have a penetrating influence on global affairs. Great powers are responsible for significant blocs of power and authority, in numerous spheres such as politics, economics, social and military. Great powers have the ability to project, traditionally, throughout the world in more than just military influence. Great powers sometimes called "Global Powers" are responsible for ideological and international leadership. Great powers traditionally possess (or are very capable to possess) large armed forces and are privy to larger stocks of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons; they also have tools of projection such as aircraft carriers that permit them to influence decisions through a wide variety of diplomatic, economic and political actions.
Unique statusHyperpower and Superpower: The usage of the terms "Hyperpower" and "Superpower" will only be utilized in the follow circumstances:
(1) When only 1 Great Power and Very Strong ranking exists they will be termed a "Hyperpower";
(2) When only 2 Great Powers and Very Strong rankings exist they will both be deemed "Superpowers";
While these nations are in effect "Great Powers" they will be considered to be slightly above the position of a Great Power in military capabilities and international influence. Both are to be considered to have highly modern armed forces, robust nuclear, chemical, biological weapons, and they are equipped with modern military equipment that is state of the art. Politically, they hold immense influence abroad in international political organizations such as the World Congress, and are largely considered leaders in alliances, treaties and organizations that they are involved in.