An interview with Buck Roger
Day 655, 04:37
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Published in Greece 
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by
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by Iphigenia
This is an interview in English, an interview with Buck Roger, a native eGreek citizen, a foreigner only to RL Greece. His role in the New World is important, as he has spent most of his energies in a couple of areas, one being an immigration drive, and the other being various researches and statistics in his newspaper, The Underdog's Bark.
(After some chitchat to break the ice, there came the questions)
Where were you born in the New World?
Central Greece, Greece
But the long story is that my first account was banned within a week because I didn't know the rules, and the admins are banhappy. My first account was in California. I appealed, and they said to start a new account. Knowing a little more about the game, I preferred to live in Greece.
What is it that a newborn player can do to anger the admins??
I wanted to play more than 3 clicks a day, so I had multiple accounts
I actually found that this is a common phenomena... about 3 different "newb multi" operations were discovered to have received free tickets from me when I went over the records. They were quite obvious due to the donation trail. The first guy went from California to New Jersey on a free ticket from a guy named "Chris Stanwick," and that operation gave me some of the inspiration for my own effort.
So those first days were the only days you've lived in eUSA?
Yes, that's the case.
Besides Greece, I've been in Aquitaine for a couple days. I kicked a little bit against the RW wall there. That's all I think. I also have now 3 Organizations.
So, what made you choose Greece?
For me I was looking at PEACE GC as being the "evil empire" du jour, and I wanted to find my place in the resistance against it. I had looked at China, Greece, Spain, and the USA. It seemed that I could do most from within Greece, but moreoever, that I could find like-minded people here. It also helps that most people can understand what I write.
What is your impression of the Greek government and its work? And have you ever been involved in the Greek politics (because I am pretty new and don't know the history)?
I am happy with the Greek government, for the most part. The military is doing a superb job as far as I am concerned. I have had chats with Haralambos, who is very capable as Minister of Economics. I am also fairly new. My belief is that, at this time in the game, most people are new for roughly their first 4 months. So I still have a way to go in shedding my "noob" status.
I chose the Hellenic Popular Coalition (when it was the Hellenic Progress Coalition) as a party, and I haven't been let down. There are a lot of good people in the HPC who care about Greece before anything else in the game (e.g., personal or subgroup advantage--not that I am accusing anyone of less!).
What are your relations with eUSA and eAmericans?
Most of them don't know me, and I don't know most of them. Those who do, probably hang out in #usa-chat (which is on the irc.rizon.net IRC server), where I also hang out just because it is active. I would be well-known only by those who have come to Greece, because I am visible in the Greek press. In the USA press, on the rare occasion I publish there, I am near-invisible.
Oh, I guess I also have a eusforum account, but I don't have much activity on it. I made it when I created the first citizen.
How do you judge the government's reluctance to give Greek citizenship to immigrants here?
I don't see it as reluctance, per se. The word implies a stinginess. I see it as prudence. There are more applications than there are citizenships to be distributed this month. The good stewardship of the resource by congress members is a good idea. Also, I think those who are seeking citizenship, if they are genuine in their desire to be a part of Greece for the long haul, should have no problem with waiting another month, or such time that it takes.
I have already seen some of the citizenships passed out in the previous session essentially "wasted" on citizens who have returned to their country of origin or other location. Simply sitting longer is a sign of good faith on the part of those who are seeking citizenship.
You are very active in the media. What is the strangest article/situation you've seen, that you can remember now?
In my newspaper, or someone else's?
Oh, anywhere, even in an ad!
Well, when BattalGazi spent 120 gold on getting a 2nd media mogul medal, I thought that was very strange... not to mention, vain.
My own strategy is vain in its own way. I want to transfer my newspaper to my citizen Buck Roger eventually, which costs 5 gold, and to get the medal. That'll gain me 5 gold. Since it is the hardest 5 gold I'll have ever earned in eRepublik, I don't plan to share it with anyone.
I always have a hard time predicting what will be popular, which I find strange. Sometimes the emptiest articles make it into the top 5 in Greece, such as a recent one which basically said "subscribe to mine, and I'll subscribe to yours." The Greek press also has a strangely low number of votes for the population, and that makes me wonder.
Perhaps it is both age and population that will make the highest articles have lots of votes, as the ancient newspapers in foreign presses enjoy votes from around the globe.
In your opinion, should there be an ethics code, not to refer to rl politics in the media, or in the game whatsoever?
Well, it's not official, but I like to keep to a general rule of fun. If something isn't fun, I wouldn't like to perpetrate it on others in eRepublik. For example, some people have gone "total war" and are trying to limit the growth of new players in eRepublik by setting up "trap" skill 0 job centers, with no money.
Going the opposite direction entirely, I prefer to help people who are bewildered sometimes by the game that doesn't make it obvious as to how to proceed (Plato needs an upgrade!). That's why I didn't mind knocking on doors when Ontario, Asturias, and other regions fell. And I don't mind doing so in the future.
As to the press, I have made a point to be precisely honest in my writing a long time ago, in entirely different subjects. I have no trouble ever admitting a mistake that I make, when I do (and I do!). I like to read articles about eRepublik as a game, without real-world issues, but there's no rule against any type of commentary in the press. The public will decide what they like to read.
What features would you like the game eRepublik to have, that it lacks now?
The only suggestion that I have made of my own for a truly new feature is to have some other daily peaceful activity other than work, train, and eat; because, as anyone knows, there is no choice in those.
I would like an option that lets you choose, say, "relax" (for +1 wellness) or "study" (for 0.01 more skill in a profession) or do a little extra training or... something else, when something other than wellness is made important (as it is boring to have just 1 meter upon which all depends).
I'd also like that option to turn off when you get to a certain level, so that it mostly helps players to catch up. And makes the first few days more entertaining.
Other than that, minor stuff: Fix bugs. Sure, dissolve a party, or scrap a business for 10 gold. Stuff plenty of people have said.
And to close off our meeting, is there some advice that you'd like to give to new English-speaking players who might read this article?
Literally new players? Well, first I would like to congratulate them for finding the press, as that already puts them well ahead of the curve. If they have done that, I am sure they will have no problem figuring out most of how the game works... as long as they keep learning! Keep in mind that new features are unlocked (especially around level 5--fighting!).
And using the hospital is tricky at first, so be sure to do that right, to maintain high wellness. After that, I guess the two main ways in which I see players able to improve are fighting (more!) for higher ranks (you should be a Leiutenant by the time you get super soldier) and becoming part of the community, by commenting and joining forums and IRC.
Last of all, be sure to have fun. If it's not fun, you will stop doing it.
(After some chitchat to break the ice, there came the questions)
Where were you born in the New World?
Central Greece, Greece
But the long story is that my first account was banned within a week because I didn't know the rules, and the admins are banhappy. My first account was in California. I appealed, and they said to start a new account. Knowing a little more about the game, I preferred to live in Greece.
What is it that a newborn player can do to anger the admins??
I wanted to play more than 3 clicks a day, so I had multiple accounts
I actually found that this is a common phenomena... about 3 different "newb multi" operations were discovered to have received free tickets from me when I went over the records. They were quite obvious due to the donation trail. The first guy went from California to New Jersey on a free ticket from a guy named "Chris Stanwick," and that operation gave me some of the inspiration for my own effort.
So those first days were the only days you've lived in eUSA?
Yes, that's the case.
Besides Greece, I've been in Aquitaine for a couple days. I kicked a little bit against the RW wall there. That's all I think. I also have now 3 Organizations.
So, what made you choose Greece?
For me I was looking at PEACE GC as being the "evil empire" du jour, and I wanted to find my place in the resistance against it. I had looked at China, Greece, Spain, and the USA. It seemed that I could do most from within Greece, but moreoever, that I could find like-minded people here. It also helps that most people can understand what I write.
What is your impression of the Greek government and its work? And have you ever been involved in the Greek politics (because I am pretty new and don't know the history)?
I am happy with the Greek government, for the most part. The military is doing a superb job as far as I am concerned. I have had chats with Haralambos, who is very capable as Minister of Economics. I am also fairly new. My belief is that, at this time in the game, most people are new for roughly their first 4 months. So I still have a way to go in shedding my "noob" status.
I chose the Hellenic Popular Coalition (when it was the Hellenic Progress Coalition) as a party, and I haven't been let down. There are a lot of good people in the HPC who care about Greece before anything else in the game (e.g., personal or subgroup advantage--not that I am accusing anyone of less!).
What are your relations with eUSA and eAmericans?
Most of them don't know me, and I don't know most of them. Those who do, probably hang out in #usa-chat (which is on the irc.rizon.net IRC server), where I also hang out just because it is active. I would be well-known only by those who have come to Greece, because I am visible in the Greek press. In the USA press, on the rare occasion I publish there, I am near-invisible.
Oh, I guess I also have a eusforum account, but I don't have much activity on it. I made it when I created the first citizen.
How do you judge the government's reluctance to give Greek citizenship to immigrants here?
I don't see it as reluctance, per se. The word implies a stinginess. I see it as prudence. There are more applications than there are citizenships to be distributed this month. The good stewardship of the resource by congress members is a good idea. Also, I think those who are seeking citizenship, if they are genuine in their desire to be a part of Greece for the long haul, should have no problem with waiting another month, or such time that it takes.
I have already seen some of the citizenships passed out in the previous session essentially "wasted" on citizens who have returned to their country of origin or other location. Simply sitting longer is a sign of good faith on the part of those who are seeking citizenship.
You are very active in the media. What is the strangest article/situation you've seen, that you can remember now?
In my newspaper, or someone else's?
Oh, anywhere, even in an ad!
Well, when BattalGazi spent 120 gold on getting a 2nd media mogul medal, I thought that was very strange... not to mention, vain.
My own strategy is vain in its own way. I want to transfer my newspaper to my citizen Buck Roger eventually, which costs 5 gold, and to get the medal. That'll gain me 5 gold. Since it is the hardest 5 gold I'll have ever earned in eRepublik, I don't plan to share it with anyone.
I always have a hard time predicting what will be popular, which I find strange. Sometimes the emptiest articles make it into the top 5 in Greece, such as a recent one which basically said "subscribe to mine, and I'll subscribe to yours." The Greek press also has a strangely low number of votes for the population, and that makes me wonder.
Perhaps it is both age and population that will make the highest articles have lots of votes, as the ancient newspapers in foreign presses enjoy votes from around the globe.
In your opinion, should there be an ethics code, not to refer to rl politics in the media, or in the game whatsoever?
Well, it's not official, but I like to keep to a general rule of fun. If something isn't fun, I wouldn't like to perpetrate it on others in eRepublik. For example, some people have gone "total war" and are trying to limit the growth of new players in eRepublik by setting up "trap" skill 0 job centers, with no money.
Going the opposite direction entirely, I prefer to help people who are bewildered sometimes by the game that doesn't make it obvious as to how to proceed (Plato needs an upgrade!). That's why I didn't mind knocking on doors when Ontario, Asturias, and other regions fell. And I don't mind doing so in the future.
As to the press, I have made a point to be precisely honest in my writing a long time ago, in entirely different subjects. I have no trouble ever admitting a mistake that I make, when I do (and I do!). I like to read articles about eRepublik as a game, without real-world issues, but there's no rule against any type of commentary in the press. The public will decide what they like to read.
What features would you like the game eRepublik to have, that it lacks now?
The only suggestion that I have made of my own for a truly new feature is to have some other daily peaceful activity other than work, train, and eat; because, as anyone knows, there is no choice in those.
I would like an option that lets you choose, say, "relax" (for +1 wellness) or "study" (for 0.01 more skill in a profession) or do a little extra training or... something else, when something other than wellness is made important (as it is boring to have just 1 meter upon which all depends).
I'd also like that option to turn off when you get to a certain level, so that it mostly helps players to catch up. And makes the first few days more entertaining.
Other than that, minor stuff: Fix bugs. Sure, dissolve a party, or scrap a business for 10 gold. Stuff plenty of people have said.
And to close off our meeting, is there some advice that you'd like to give to new English-speaking players who might read this article?
Literally new players? Well, first I would like to congratulate them for finding the press, as that already puts them well ahead of the curve. If they have done that, I am sure they will have no problem figuring out most of how the game works... as long as they keep learning! Keep in mind that new features are unlocked (especially around level 5--fighting!).
And using the hospital is tricky at first, so be sure to do that right, to maintain high wellness. After that, I guess the two main ways in which I see players able to improve are fighting (more!) for higher ranks (you should be a Leiutenant by the time you get super soldier) and becoming part of the community, by commenting and joining forums and IRC.
Last of all, be sure to have fun. If it's not fun, you will stop doing it.
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Comments
Voted - Keep it up Iphigeneia.
voted.! Buck is an active citizen tht trys to do the best for e-Greece. Iphi one more time grats🙂
I would like to thank Buck Roger publicly for his time and effort in this interview, and to dedicate it to Haralambos, because it is in English 😛
This was fun, thanks!
Voted!
nice iphigenia & buck
voted as an eUSA citizen living in CG.
voted. great article