Businesses are the cornerstone of B⭐️’s in-game economy and everyday life. Without them, there’d be nowhere to buy food or drink, no dealerships to purchase your next car, and no garages to keep those vehicles in top shape. Each business serves a unique role within the carefully balanced ecosystem that is B⭐️. Without them, the city wouldn’t function, and that's why we take the process of awarding businesses seriously.
¶ 1. ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION PROCESS
¶ Who Can Submit A Business Application?
To be eligible to submit a business application, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- They must have been an active member of the community for at least fifteen (15) days.
- They must be subscribed to at least the Star IV subscription package or higher (check out the Tebex page for more information). Players who experience financial difficulties or other subscription problems can be temporarily awarded the ‘Trusted’ status to prevent them from losing their business (please see details in the ‘Ownership As A Privilege’ section).
- They must not currently have more than thirty (30) active punishment points at the time of applying. Exceeding this limit during the application process may impact your approval.
- Players can own ONE BUSINESS across all characters. High Command positions do not count toward business ownership.
¶ Application Review & Approval Process
Applications are processed in batches. An announcement will be sent via the 💬⋮community⋆updates channel in the B⭐️Discord when businesses are ready to be awarded. The announcement will include a link to the application form. Applications take time to process, so please be patient. Sending a staff member a DM about your application may result in an instant decline. A second announcement will be sent when businesses have been awarded, and successful applicants will be notified via DM. Applicants who do not receive a DM when this announcement is sent can assume their application was not successful. They can, at this point, reach out to a member of the Business Team for feedback on their application if they have any questions, concerns, or other issues. Inquiring about the status of your application will only reduce your chances of approval.
NOTES FOR APPLICATIONS
- Don't Skimp On The Business Plan - Given limited business availability, applications are reviewed thoroughly. The Business Team looks closely at the included business plan (how the business will be run if that applicant is awarded the business). A good business plan clearly defines what the business is, what it will offer, and how it will operate within the city. It should outline the services or products being provided and how the business will differentiate itself from others. Where will funding come from? What ideas do they have that will make it engaging for both employees and customers? They also consider plans for promotions, advertisements, employee roles, and how the business will contribute to the overall economy and community experience.
- Be Unique - The Business Team is always looking for unique and innovative ideas.
- Take Your Time - While rushing your application might ensure the team receives it in time, application rounds are open for more than 24 hours for a reason. Taking your time, jotting down all your ideas, and creating a well-thought-out and innovative business proposal is more likely to result in a successful application than rushing it.
APPLICATIONS FOR NEW BUSINESSES
B⭐️encourages creative proposals for new businesses, particularly those that introduce fresh interactions and role-playing opportunities to the city. Duplicate or near-identical versions of existing companies are rarely accepted. Think outside the box: what’s missing from the city? What would draw players in and create memorable experiences? These types of proposals can be submitted while standard business applications are open; however, please note that they may take longer to process due to the additional consideration required.
- Approval does not guarantee ownership. Players who apply for a new business must still meet the above ownership criteria.
- Applicants applying for a new business are encouraged to research relevant Map Location Objects (MLOs) and their locations within the city (when needed, as not every business requires an MLO). Adding this information to your application is beneficial.
- For MLO, asset imports incur a fee; more information about importing assets can be found in our B⭐Asset Submission Guidelines.
- The development team cannot guarantee that an MLO will meet B⭐️standards. After purchase, it will be tested. Even if a proposed MLO appears suitable in previews and receives the development team's approval, there is still a chance it will be rejected. In this case, B⭐️will not compensate for the purchase, but we will attempt to provide you with information to relay to the creator, in the hope that they can make the necessary adjustments.
¶ 2. EXPECTATIONS OF A BUSINESS OWNER
¶ Maintaining Business & Handling Requests
- The Business Owner is expected to maintain their business actively and must clock in for a minimum of seven (7) hours every two (2) weeks.
- Business Owners who are unable to meet their minimum hour requirements due to OOC reasons must contact the Business Team and submit an LOA (Leave Of Absence); failing to do so could result in the business being accidentally repossessed. An LOA can be submitted by creating a ‘Business Support’ in the
🎫⋮create⋆ticketchannel of the B⭐️Discord. - The Business Owner must personally submit Business Reward requests and business-related Support Tickets. Unfortunately, Business Reward requests made by employees will be closed.
- Business Owners can roleplay that another player is their ‘business partner’, but the player awarded the business will always be considered the Business Owner.
- The Business Team will contact Business Owners who fail to maintain their required business hours and have no LOA on record. If the problem persists without communication with the Business Team, the business will be repossessed and advertised as available.
- Business Owners are expected to operate their business as intended. Pay farming for hours without ‘opening’ is not allowed. Hiring employees and ensuring they are working and opening is also considered part of operating a business as intended.
¶ Adherence To Server Rules & Regulations
- Just like all members of the community, Business Owners are required to adhere to the B⭐️Community Rules.
- Business owners who frequently violate rules, particularly those who use their business for rule-breaking activities, may have their ownership revoked at the discretion of the Business Team.
¶ Business Team Audits
The Business Team regularly audits businesses to ensure Business Owners are meeting requirements. In addition to hours, they monitor the following:
- They identify employees who aren't clocking in.
- They determine who is clocking in but not ringing up sales (when applicable).
The Business Team monitors these things to identify Business Owners who aren't actively managing their businesses.
¶ 3. TRANSITIONING OWNERSHIP
When a business owner decides that they no longer want to own the business, for any reason, they should notify the Business Team by creating a ‘Business Support’ in the 🎫⋮create⋆ticket channel of the B⭐️Discord.
¶ Relinquishing Business Ownership Process
- A business cannot be sold or given to another player by the Business Owner. The Business Team will determine whether it will be returned to the pool of available businesses or removed from the city.
- If the business remains in the city, the Staff Team may choose to keep the business open until a new owner is selected. This would usually occur if it's integral to the city's economy and no alternate options are available, for example, Maze Bank.
- If a business is repossessed and closed until a new owner is found, any remaining funds will be removed from the ledger. Illegal items will be removed from any storage, and existing employees will be fired.
- Business Owners must understand that they are not entitled to a new business if they decide to relinquish their current one. They must apply as usual to take on a new business.
- Current employees of a relinquished business cannot assume ownership; they may apply when it's advertised (if they meet the eligibility requirements), and their employment history will be taken into consideration during the application process.
¶ 4. OWNERSHIP AS A PRIVILEGE
The Star IV or higher subscription package is required to own a business. It is not, however, a guarantee that one will be awarded. B⭐️ sincerely appreciates everyone who donates to the city via benefits, regardless of tier. It's what helps keep the city alive, but with limited business availability, the Business Team must thoroughly consider applications and award them to the candidates who submitted the best.
¶ Trusted Explained
- Trusted Status is a temporary substitute for the Star IV+ business ownership requirement. It is typically awarded to current Business Owners who are temporarily unable to renew their subscription status. Trusted has no other purpose.
- We understand that not everyone has the means to support B⭐️ through subscription packages; however, as business ownership is a possible perk for subscribers, we cannot award Trusted status to every business applicant. Exceptions will be granted very rarely and must be approved by Bruin.
- Additionally, as Trusted status is only a temporary substitute for the Star IV+ requirement, it will not be awarded consecutively. The business will be relinquished upon the lapse of the Trusted status (unless it's renewed).
¶ 5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information or answers to questions, please open a ‘Business Support’ ticket via the 🎫⋮create⋆ticket channel in the B⭐Discord.