[SPQR] Aut viam inveniam aut faciam

Day 1,884, 10:25 • Published in USA USA • by Azazel Romanov


Here again to talk more indepth on a topic of my interest. I won't be getting into detail about party affairs, invasion plans, or foreign policy direction. I'm here to talk to you about a choice I made. I touched on this in a previous article, but I didn't get too in-depth about it last time. As you know, I have begun affiliating with SPQR during its infancy and development. I know there are a lot of opinions about this, both internal and external to the movement, so I thought I'd give my own thoughts. Like many, I was unaware of SPQR's creation. I was just like everyone else who saw the initial articles with both curiosity, intrigue, and maybe even a little dose of fear. I'm a person who is naturally inclined to dislike sudden change or action.



Initially, I was very skeptical. Like many of its critics, I worried that this would be a top-down cabal that only allowed a select few into its midst. However, I was surprised when many individuals began to participate in the process and newer players were allowed to speak openly about their involvement in SPQR. I was curious, so I decided to join in. To be fair, this is a boring game on its surface. Our economy, with or without bonuses, is simplistic and without intrigue. Battles have become back and forth, and ad nausem wars in Eastern Europe produce nothing of interest to our country. Politics have become so negative that we love incessantly posting critiques and insults alongside accusations of shadowy cliques or foreign intrusion. I jump at the chance of anything that could provide some sense that this isn't simply a repeat of real life and that we should enjoy it as a game and not as a cable drama.

So far, SPQR has given this. Despite what people say negatively about it, its something that anyone can be a part of. They don't ask you to sacrifice friends, party, or MU. A lot of talk about unity has been going on the past couple months, but we haven't exactly been unified. Some people like to find a problem in everything, some like to have a complaint or controversial opinion, while many simply want an honest and fair evaluation of current affairs. As stated in other articles, SPQR is about changing the dynamic of the game. Its about banding together to do something greater than write about political squabbles and hurt feelings. It isn't simply an eReligion or another cult of personality. SPQR is trying to free us. Finally we have something that can engage us, something that makes us unique, spontaneous. Work that has been done in recent months for foreign policy is now being done in a new way for our country.



I understand complaints about repetition, and those who like to point out chain shouting or some form of role play as something to be ashamed about and frowned upon. I understand those resistant to change or actions against the norm because I hold these fears too. I ask these critics what they are doing to improve the game. It's easy to tear something down, but it's hard to create something new. So far SPQR has existed for little over a week, and all I see is people complaining about a lack of substance. How is player involvement and having fun not substance? How is a surge of creativity and a change of pace not substance? This is not to say that I don't accept a difference of opinion. ElPatoDiablo wrote a great article asking for specifics and a plan of action. Bradley Reala woke from his media slumber just to write about his opinion on our foreign policy and SPQR in a well crafted article. The movement not only inspires forward momentum but also friction. When sparks fly people are active and engaged. And I mean truly active debate, not a back and forth and conspiracy theories.

But just as Bradley Reala thinks the third way impossible, we have dreamers and thinkers who think it can still be done. This may be called insanity, but I call it hope. The belief that this game can be something else is what keeps me going. If I was to resign to the fact that nothing could be done, this game would be pointless. What is the fun in playing something static and realistic? What is the entertainment and energy in refusing to create? Pursuing the third path is what keeps us playing the game. Call me insane, but insanity and persistence have produced great things before. I'm doing everything I can to reshape this game into something better. To turn the tide against apathy and division. Ask yourself, are you building or destroying?

Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet - He who feared he would not succeed sat still.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam - I'll either find a way or make one.




SPQR IN OUR HEARTS
SPQR IN OUR MINDS
NOW AND FOREVER