Join the new world

This is the second of the new mailbags. I think we’ll have to come up with a better name and title for it though. For those of you that are confused by the concept of the mailbag, I am attempting to just create a place where I can throw out opinions, jokes, and insights about the game and sometimes life without the strict conventions of prose or the necessity of coherence. I’d like to apologize that it took a little longer than I would like to publish this edition.

Please message me with any question (or questions if you feel ambitious) and whether you want to be identified or not for the next edition.

Music Of The Mailbag

- Billy Idol – ‘Dancing With Myself’
- McFly – ‘Transylvania’
- The Byrds – ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’
- Astrid Swan – ‘When You Were Young’

Now, to the mailbag.

Just wanted to ask how you felt about the eSA pulling an eUK? – Anonymous

There has been a lot of turmoil in South Africa recently. I haven’t been able to stay up on it as much as I’d like or as others probably have. Nevertheless, I feel I can at least offer an answer to the question.

Switcharoos are always cutting. They amount to saying ‘you’re not good enough.’ Emotions will run high; UK still isn’t liked by the US for what they did. I think in this case, it goes to an under-recognized aspect of this game—perceptions. I don’t know if the US-Spain-Romania axis is weaker than the Hungary-Russia-Serbia on but it certainly is perceived as one. They’re probably pretty close in actuality because you see the see-saw of favorable and unfavorable results in all the wars. The small countries simply align with the superalliance that they perceive provides them the best chance of not being overrun.

Can you give dates on WWI, II, and III and brief synopses for the newbies? – mjmnum1, California

Sure. World War I, II, III, and I guess IV, are all variations on the same major players fighting against each other. The names of alliances and some small actors change but they are sort of the same fight you are seeing today.

World War I – I think these were the epic battles between Romania and Hungary right around the introduction of V1, although it started in beta.

World War II – One year ago (wow), America’s involvement started with Benn’s attack: Operation French Toast. It was an escapade into France by Atlantis powers.

World War III – Major PEACE offense that just recently ended with that alliance's dissolution. Took all but one American territory. Check out Desertfalcon’s newspaper archives. It gives a day-by-day recap of what was the largest war ever at that time.

What do you think of the accusations of PTO in Japan, and the fact that letting the US through Kyushu was agreed to beforehand? And how does that affect your opinion of the "noble" retreat. – Anonymous

It’s all political posturing. The people that aren’t in power and don’t like the decision will claim that they were pto’d by those that are. It’s much easier to spin something that you disagree with in hindsight. It takes some balls to prevent it from happening at the start. Generally, tossing around terms like righteous and noble dilute the purpose of political discourse and the disagreements that occur within in it. Pretty much, just think it’s a distraction from what they chose to do. And what’s done is done. So…

What's your take on the Training Module? – mjmnum1, California

The admins are introducing means to regulate how much gold is in the game and incentivize its purchase. The new training module goes towards both goals. It’s not going to kill the game; people are going to have to adapt. It’s like every other new feature; personally, I don’t mind it but I’m not going to always purchase advanced training levels.

What do you think of the oracle? – Anonymous

That stuff is beyond the simple minds of man...

The feature in this newspaper will be more like the McOracle.

Why did Tiger cheat on his hot wife? – Anonymous

For once, he wanted to rack up the highest score possible?

Hot and Sexy is your background, isn't she? – mjmnum1, California

Desktop, laptop, and blackberry.



Thanks for the questions! I’m going back to working on the seventh edition of the new player guide in hopes of publishing soon. Please remember to message me with any question (or questions if you feel ambitious) and whether you want to be identified or not for the next edition.