My Opposition to a New Government MU
Elle Roslin
Background
Recently the CP of the United Kingdom (BigAnt) has been musing on forum about the creation of another MU that will be funded by government monies. For those of you who are of newer generations, you may not recall that in previous terms there were government MU’s of various stripes (i.e. BEF, NHS beginners, UKAF, etc.). These groups met their demise as a result of funding and logistical challenges, either as a result of game mechanics or due to an inability to compete with supplies and organizational prowess offered by independent MU’s (i.e. Legion, TUP Family, Royal Navy, etc.).
Currently the UK has an ‘official’ MU, the Legion MU, that operates as the de facto national unit where new players are directed to join. It was formerly known as the ESO Legion, but was stripped of this title and the trappings of its former identity in order to be politically neutral. It was offered freely by the players that operated and funded it, and these players continue to do so to this day. Political postings are forbidden and players from all parties are welcomed without any preferential treatment or access.
This MU has held the top spot on the national leaderboard almost without exception since its establishment as the ‘official’ UK MU by former CP Talon Karrde.
The Issue at Hand
So this brings us to the present.
Under current Erepublik game trends/rules, the government struggles to maintain an income that provides for MPPs, growth schemes, emergency supplies, and player support. There have been calls recently to abolish the Call to Arms program rather than raising taxes to support it. So why at this time would the country president seek to spend precious resources on yet another attempt at a government MU? Has there been evidence of failure on the part of Legion? Is there anything to suggest that a new government MU would add value?
In my opinion, the answer to all of these questions is a resounding NO. The creation of a new government MU is not based on any rational or logical arguments, but is rather motivated by personal ambitions and political greed. The stated rationale for this new MU is that it can be more centrally controlled and can be used to get supplies to big hitters more efficiently using an IRC supply regime that would support the UK’s tanks.
So will that work? IRC-based systems used in the past have typically failed to have much of an impact, with the exception of emergency channels that have been used to supply foreign allies in times of extreme need. The UK simply does not have very many players, and fewer still who use IRC regularly. I personally believe that the use of taxpayer funds to subsidize tanking by wealthy and older players is also fundamentally unfair and detrimental in the long term. We should be using this income to support new players that struggle to progress in this game and to support recruitment efforts that would increase our population numbers.
I believe that a better strategy for the national MU program is to elevate other MU’s to the same status as Legion, if any are willing to do so. There is no reason why Legion needs to be the solitary MU that carries the veneer of official status. The United States has long used a system that supports multiple MU’s to operate on behalf of their nation. With the coordination and collaboration of other MU’s, we could build a stronger supply base, share revenues and income to better support our players, and maintain the flexibility to provide unique and attractive gaming experiences to our members. I have had the pleasure of working with the Royal Navy in limited form in the past, and I know that the Legion method is not the only one that works. Let us draw on this decentralized organizational structure to help unite our forces and foster an environment that welcomes new ideas and mutual growth.
Old ideas that have been proven ineffective are NOT the way forward. I don’t claim to know all the answers, and I would encourage all of you who have made it this far in the article to leave any comments that constructively suggest ways for the UK to move forward.
For a look at some polling and statistical data regarding the UK's MUs and other data, take a peek at Joshua Whelan's extensive article which can be accessed here
Thank you for reading!
Elle Roslin
Legion Member
Proud UK citizen
Comments
Some good points, but why can't a government MU co-exist with Legion at the same time?
Legion at the heart of the military and a small militia under direct government control opens us up for a lot of flexibility in what we can do.
I think my feeling on that Joshua is that the government simply cannot afford it. I would like to see the government stash funds for a rainy day and have an emergency fund available to supply tanks and allies when warranted.
I think having a redundant system is ultimately best, so if it could be configured with government input I think that would be a plus.
Leave the BEF in the graveyard. Instead give other MUs a chance to earn the official status too.
How much would it take to start a MU from scratch?
And eUK needs to take a machete to its MPP list.
An inordinate amount if suppliers are not willing to sign on Arrlo, particularly with the continued admin assault on the economy. (PS: I miss you as Thatcher!)
@alexg737 - I agree completely = D
Arrlo, the initial investment for the company infrastructure would be upwards of 2,000 gold. The currency required to maintain it, such as running costs for supplies, would easily surpass 50,000GBP a month for an MU with 60-70 members.
This is why a government military won't work if it's open to just everybody. It would need to be limited to about 30 people because that's all we can afford.
I've not been a member of Legion, however it appears to tick all the boxes required of an official MU and is capable of supplying its own members.
Instead give other MUs a chance to earn the official status too.
x2
it says alot when the CP will donate his own Companies to try and create a new MU to supply the elite but will willing cut AGAIN any tanks getting to the new players of this game.
Just like cutting weapons for NHS and when he cut CTA not once but now twice
everything roz says is golden.
It feels like we are running the country more haphazardly and opaquely all the time. The public is increasingly out of the loop on congress' decisions/disscussions, and congress is out of the loop or just ignored by the government.
Leave the BEF in the graveyard. Instead give other MUs a chance to earn the official status too. x3
Have we had any details regarding this new MU or is it all speculation at the moment?
As always a well written article Roz o7
More official MUs why are we throwing money at new things when we already have the same thing set up and working.
>Has there been evidence of failure on the part of Legion?
Number of fighters from Legion hitting for the eUK in a battle the CP and MoD asked us to lose whilst another DO was in effect.
Apparently Serbians requested help today and only 6 eUKers showed up to the party.
These and other instances aren't purely a Legion phenomenon they are simply standard stuff that happens in other mu's.
Do legion have an adverse effect on the nation - No.
Are they any different form other MUs - No
Are they treated as special - Yes.
"Number of fighters from Legion hitting for the eUK in a battle the CP and MoD asked us to lose whilst another DO was in effect."
Orders have always been followed to the letter of the MoD as we have to do. Last term communication dropped, we have to follow their orders, can't if they are not coming out - The issue you were referencing was when the MoD actually said to win that battle in the orders PM, the orders we follow.
"Apparently Serbians requested help today and only 6 eUKers showed up to the party."
A few more showed up, I think it was 8, 5 and a half (ex Legion probably now coming back) were from The Legion. 5 may not be a lot, but on an hour notice and only for Div 4 we represented over 50% of the eUK that did.
Having the official tag has clearly held us back more than push us forward.
"Instead give other MUs a chance to earn the official status too."
x3
"As always a well written article Roz o7"
x2
Instead just set up a PM of active fighters from across the MU's we already have that can be used as 'task force', only supply em when needed, won't cost a crazy amount and won't disrupt existing organizations.
"This is why a government military won't work if it's open to just everybody. It would need to be limited to about 30 people because that's all we can afford."
.. and that is my main worry with gov. funded MU proposals. :/
How do you justify to the tax payers that you are spending country resources to supply a select group of fighters, of which, most of them cannot join...
BigAnt wants a legacy to distract from the derps. That is why. There is no way this MU can be effective or fair: it can only be one or the other
@jamesw - God forbid I should agree with you, but I think we have found a subject in which we can.
Horice used to depict BigAnt as a hero, now he is depicted as a drunk. A successful government MU would bring him back to glory.
I do not believe a large MU would benefit the nation, but I do believe a prestigious MU will. An MU of the UK's top 60 soldiers that can be directed to specific battles as necessary. 15 soldiers from each division would take part in this MU with 4 regiments (one division each). They can be directed to a specific battle and supplied in an effective manner when necessary.
@Alragrem - @Carlini8 - I do believe the point of an MU is to unite our forces, not separate them. I do not believe that bashing an MU is productive or useful.
I'm not singling out legion - they are no worse nor any better then the rest of the MU's.
If you look at MUs as creators or multipliers of damage or activity, all MUs play a certain role in that. However looking at the longevity and stability provided by Navy and Legion over the past year+, and the great start British Army has made in improving their stats, you have to say that there are certainly some MUs which do better than others in spreading out the benefits of being supplied weapons every day. If TUP F should ever be in a position to offer supplies to more than the select few members, and drop the requirement for TUP membership, maybe we'd have 5 competitive supplying MUs instead of the current 4.
Which would beg the question, is there really a need for a national MU to usurp this? I'd agree with Wayne's idea for a sort of MoD run group message for active, strong members in each division. If I had thought of this idea or it had been proposed when I was MoD, it would have been something I would've jumped upon instantaneously - I hope our current MoDs heed this great suggestion!
Would be easier to work with an existing MU perhaps, however I think Legion's political positions make it a poor choice.
"Instead give other MUs a chance to earn the official status too."
xn+1
"As always a well written article Roz o7"
xn+1
If another MU bans political targeting/preferential supplies then I'd be happy for them to be official too. TUP family isn't going to meet those criteria, Legion does.
Would be easier to work with an existing MU perhaps, however I think Legion's political positions make it a poor choice. - Sage Goku
Legion doesn't have a political position, are thy really that blind? Perhaps just stupid then, Joseph G. Goku?
The problem is, Legion is given too much attention from the government than other MU's. You have to understand how frustrating this is for everyone else because whilst Legion is deemed by all to be the "Official" MU, all that we are asking for is the chance to have a fair election clearly determining who the eUK citizens believe deserves to be the "Official" MU. And the lack of acknowledgement from the government isn't exactly helping the matter much either. I also acknowledge the fact that the government cannot spare the resources to create a new MU from scratch but at least this way the issue has been settled fairly. So to summarise, if Legion was declared the "Official" MU by a fair election then everyone would be happier : )
Overall though I enjoyed the article V+S
Really? What attention to Legion get apart from,
Join Legion New players, you don't have to stay there, or join THEIR political party but they'll supply you with THEIR weapons and THEIR money and help you get started? Serious lulz.
If when you start the game the president tells you to join the Legion the chances of you joining are pretty darn high. Once you're in there you will most likely not leave because it is where you developed and were given a chance.
Other MUs were given a chance to be official from day one. Stop making out like Legion alone has been offered the title.
"Instead give other MUs a chance to earn the official status too."
♥
"As always a well written article Roz o7"
♥
Hail Roz!
I miss the time when MUs did not exist, made things much easier.