Originally Posted by
Msgte
OK, just for grins, let's say a pure vote system is a non starter, and move on from that.
Let's also assume that the game system can nudge players toward desired behavior, because it already does.
If the currency of leadership isn't a one man one vote thing, what is it? Right now it's a machine that loads the game fast and the willingness to take the spot.
So change the currency. Instead of first come first serve, have a pool at game start. You put your hat in the ring, and the game chooses the player with the most currency. Ties are randomly resolved.
You carry that flag for ten minutes in game, get a buck. TK somebody, lose two bucks. Play as officer and at the end of the game if the majority of the team gives you a thumbs up, gain two bucks. Get killed in formation, get a nickel. Get killed out of line, lose a quarter. Make it so your everyday troll would have to do stuff that trolls don't want to do.
Make it so the servers can set the parameters and pick a few levels. If you are in debt you are last in line for the top spot, if you are a solid citizen 1-20 bucks you are next in line, Veterans with more than twenty points get preference. Have the server set term limits, have the server randomly pull a solid citizen for the slot ten, twenty or whatever percent of the time to give new guys a chance.
Make the account of players visible to others as an option, so companies can get an idea if a pub or new player generally plays nice. Get really creative and have company members donate excess currency that companies can use to buy...something. Cosmetics, banner ads, an eagle for the flagpole, something. "Sir, the men chipped in and bought you this really big beard. We love you, man".
That way you give players two things at once, a reason to come back and invest time in the game, and a probability that the officer knows the difference between Shinola and Manure.
Seriously, even if it was something as stupid as an engraved sword with a sentiment, a nice custom set of binoculars that made the eyes even more googly when you are looking back at it, a kerchief from fair maiden to tie to the sword hilt, a pair of grips for the pistol, and a little display on the steam profile...all realistic, historical things (except maybe the binos, so make e'm silver or something instead) that would encourage and reward "good" play on public servers, giving the Company men something to harvest besides bragging rights for beating up on the other side, and giving the public players a way to advertise that they play "right".
If I know my leadership personalities (Old senior enlisted Jarhead) the guys who gravitate towards the officer roles will appreciate any token of esteem from those they lead, and it could be a fun thing to have for the companies to present or recognize in events. Heck, make it so they can buy streamers for an official logo that they get via the company tool.