Join the new world

Part 2 ~ Integration

Its important that any system we have acknowledges that we cannot expect everyone to become forum, IRC, or even regularly in-game active straight away. Equally, we should try to ensure that we don't frighten people off with talk of "2 click" or "4 click", or even the basics such as "MPPs" or "CP" - we have to cater to everyone.

All it does is make us seem like a huge clique; and eRepublik is already an overwhelming experience for most, so we should seek to ease people into our community; instead of pushing them to the point of removing the choice.

By speaking plainly, and concisely, we can (in most cases) appear like normal human beings, not sour twisted demi-people; with half a soul missing due to the inherent bad things which come with playing this game. And wouldn't we rather present new players with a smiling face, than the tired one we currently do?








~~ Off site integration

The first thing we need to make clear is how much broader a users experience can be; should they want it. We need to lay out their choices clearly: you can continue as you currently do, or you can join our army, learn how to run your own company, represent your region (or even your country) by putting something into the community.

This is pretty simple to do; but how can we sweeten the deal? With competitions, a friendly demeanor and a second citizen fee. Implimented by the slimmer Ministry of Home Affairs, they would be tasked with advertising this scheme, as well as running competitions which give away various prizes, to get users on the forums. As well as this, we really do need to restart the #erepublik.help initiative. It should be in the welcoming message, and listed everywhere and anywhere as a point of contact. I think a move to try to get mentoring based on IRC or forum interaction could also really help things.


- Competitions

Currently, we run the majority of our "funsies" offsite on our forums. It sounds too simple, but basing the competitions in game should really help our players: even if its 2 minutes extra each day after they've worked, trained, learned and rested; thats 2 more minutes of the experience, and a lasting impression to give them something to come back for.


- Friendly demeanor

Does this need experiencing? I would appoint a Nice Director, who would be charged with suing anyone who is not nice.


- Second citizen fee

In short, when people signup to the forums and link their erepublik account, they are then eligible to claim their 5 GBP second citizen fee from the MoHA. This would be administered from the eUK Home Office, who they would message with a link to their forum account. That way, it would merely be a matter of the same MoHA current workers who supply MTs and food, to give 5 GBP to a few people every day.








~~ On site participation

Chat rooms; ingame forums? You know those things that are disused by all? Even our national chat room; we've been pretty vocal in our rejection of them, but at what cost? They are, after all, the methods admins advertise to meet people, and anyone without knowledge of off-site ideas, but wanting more will be there; so should we, each and every moment so nobody slips through the net.


- Chat rooms

The most important thing here is a presence. You're in IRC? Why not idle in the national chat room to catch any stragglers. Whilst we're heiling kumnaa in his glory, we can also try to be there should anyone need a hand, and point them to the forums.


- In game forums

Although they're pretty much the "open letter" module, they are used by some, sporadically. Populating this forum with guides, friendly things, even repastes of MoHA articles, it will all help people. Get to it!.


Something we have really improved, in my opinion, is our media presence this month. This is probably helped by the majority of the eWorld dying, but we regularly have a Presidential, MoHA, MoFA or MoLA article in the top 5, or some military recruitment. However, we can still take this further. I will be aiming to have 2 out of the top 5 articles being government releases for the duration of my term (including MoD orders) so that information is constantly at the media forefront for anyone looking. Again, by using, "Open Government" we can also ask the public to assist with this: by working together we can achieve so much more! And i'm sure there are a lot of journalists in the UK who would love to get a mention in a newspaper regularly in the top 5.


- "Guest appearances" in government articles

Why should we just ask for help from ministry workers: by opening this up through open government, not only will people get a chance to get ministerial input and feedback on their writing, but they'll also alleviate some stress on ministries whilst building up their profile and spending some time in our top 5. No, its not a huge thing that will save us overnight, but it'll certainly help us.








I think that whilst this has traditionally been the most important part of a players eLife; it is important that we do not disillusion those who cannot, or will not join: we should definitely praise and nurture those who do; but not at the risk of ignoring or alienating those who do not. In short, yes, lets recruit for our forums and IRC: but lets not just write off those who do not join. So no, I dont propose we completely abolish everything and kill everyone and try to start again: lets make hundreds of small changes and open everything up; lets get everyone working together; lets just do our best.



Hugs and kisses
~jw