SimSyndicate

The Sims Online is a multiplayer online world where participants shepherd their virtual “Sims” through life. They need to get jobs, fall in love, go to the bathroom, and get along with the Sims around them. It’s just like your real life, but you can do it from your chair.

One of the operating principles of the virtual world is that there is no established government or police force — the Sims have to keep themselves honest. Inevitably, some players decided to rob and steal. This makes the game more interesting, but the law-abiding Sims had to form a response. The most popular Sim, Mia Wallace, organized the Sim Shadow Government. With about 160 other players, they made sure that the other Sims operated under the rule of law.

Students of political science know what happened next. The Shadow Government devolved into corrupt syndicate, extorting other players and running protection rackets. Competing syndicates have been formed. The full story is at the Mercury News. The assassination euphemisms are particularly fun to read about. Some SimRICO statutes should appear soon.