I'm not 100% sure as to what constitutes a policy, but could there be a system that mimics television marketing campaigns in the real world.
Place a local TV network building, and once placed you as the mayor can choose to campaign particular things on air. You could choose out of several options, each having a different affect on the way citizens behave in game:
Option 1:
political campaign - running for mayor can be difficult, it's best to try and win over the people with a good strong tv campaign. when selected as active, it would add a boost with overall ratings of the mayor.
Option 2:
Public transportation campaign - this launches a campaign for the use of public transport, encouraging citizens to primarily use public transport. when active, more citizens use public transport systems over cars/taxis. increases wealth in the public transport sector, reduces traffic congestion, boost mayor rating slightly.
Option 3:
(if bike lanes/paths are implemented in the game) ride to work day campaign - encourages citizens to ride bikes over driving and public transport, when active; decreases traffic congestion, increases environment funding (money bonus) reduces air pollution, boosts mayor rating slightly.
Option 4:
tourism campaign - adverts for tourism in the region, encourages more tourists to visit city. when active; increases wealth in tourist industry (extra money for each tourist spot), increases public transport use (requires more public transport), increases strain on public sector (health/crime), promotes development in RCI, boosts mayor rating slightly.
Option 5:
recycling campaign - increases recycling awareness in citizens. when active; increases recycled waste, decreases landfill waste, increases wealth in waste sector, environment funding (money bonus, +$100/hr), increases desirability to live in region, increases citizen happiness, boosts mayor rating slightly.
There are heaps more options i can think of, each promoting different changes in the behaviour of the citizens, here's a few more just listed, not indepth:
- promote health
- promote fire safety
- promote education
- promote business
- promote industry
Each campaign would cost a certain amount per hour in the budget (increasing the amount increases the affect on citizens, and reverse). The campaign would last for a certain amount of time, and have a cool off period where you can't activate another campaign right after one has ended.
Even if this isn't a policy so much, might be an interesting element to gameplay? I'm not too sure if there has been anything similar in any other sim game?
