[PoA]2nd of March 2011

Day 4,486, 06:29 • Published in Austria Austria • by Prince of Austria

I was only a couple of months old when it happened. Still getting used to the game, I had only a few people in my friends list. It all started a few days before the deadly 2nd of March. 2011, the game was in its prime, being only a couple of years old. Over 500.000 active players every day. Serbia and Poland were massive countries with well over 40-50 thousand people each. Among all those people some were paying for privileges which was fair, considering that's how all pay-to-win games work. It was a problem for some but it was something they couldn't change. But then the game administration dared touch where no one even thought of touching for 4 years. Into the very core of the game. They announced some changes to the game that were considered (and with full right) an end to the game we all loved and cherished. That's the good part. Many of the things weren't even announced.



It was like going to sleep in a mansion and waking up in a tent! People quickly forged a chain of reaction that started by setting up a channel on IRC where in one point amassed more than 1200 people. I was one of them. We were all there for a reason. Some even wanted personal benefits. Some started posting pictures of the only official communications account Plato in different modifications showing the unappreciation and disgust to the new changes in the game. A real vandalism happened when the official wiki of the game was ruined. Wiki moderators and everyone that had an account there just started writing and posting pictures against the administration. It was one way to show the rebellious side of the ordinary Joe. And they didn’t ask for more than what was fair and in the good interest of everyone. Even pay-to-win players.

-Rumours of the team implementing changes in order to heavily favour Gold-buying citizens;
-Concerns that the "unified inventory and money accounts" project would again wreak havoc in the economy of the New World;
-The usage of bots by the eRepublik team to buy goods from national markets and issue currencies onto the Monetary Markets;
-Long and loudly demanded limit on the wellness packs;
-Perception that the improvements of the media and the private messaging module were restrictive;
-Planned deletion of organizations and with it destroying a great part of eRepublik history;
-Innumerable delays in the implementation of phases related to the housing and hospital industry. (believe it or not we are still waiting for those, 9 years now and still going strong)




Showing revolt against the staff manifested in other ways too. Country Presidents changed their welcoming message through an official law and many countries signed unofficial truce as a means of boycott. Those people were soon after “tried” and without means of defense put down to rest by the administration. They weren’t the only ones that died that day though. Many people got temp bans, got their articles deleted and their mouths shut because that was the easiest way to suppress the rebellion which turned out to be the last time people stood up for what's right. An idea that led them down the righteous path. An idea that is still kept alive by some of those that witnessed the 2nd of March 2011. These people are heroes, and some of them never returned to play the game. Some did return but never talked about that day ever again, out of fear that they will get another ban. I doubt there are still some playing the game as of today, there were some playing under different aliases in Israel and USA but even they probably “sold” or “traded” their accounts. (Remember trading or selling accounts is strictly forbidden!)

Krimpiekat, President of South Africa
Laya, President of Iran, and Game Moderator
Kistru, President of Serbia
1shakalas1, President of Lithuania
Howly, President of Slovenia
Cerber, President of Poland
gvstavo v2.0, President of Peru
Kallmar, President of France
Gregory Gallangher, President of Hungary
Antiko, President of the Netherlands (Temporarily banned)
The moi, President of Chile
Jan Parma, President of Slovakia (Temporarily banned)
Hans Molemann, President of Bolivia (Temporarily banned)

Soon a meeting was set up with a representative of the eRepublik administration, Belea2008. As assumed the meeting didn’t even last for 5 mins before it was called off because “protesters had many demands deemed NON-NEGOTIABLE”. It was a mere excuse because everyone knew that it’s a suicide. No one in their right mind would give players what they want. That would in turn mean that the game is perfect. Automatically one group of people would disappear in an instant. The fighters for a better tomorrow. Because let's face it, there is always room for improvement. It's up to us (or at least to me) to keep the legacy alive. Those people didn’t fall for nothing, they fell because they believed in an idea much greater than any of us. An idea for a better tomorrow for all of us. A better environment and a community that is in close communication with the staff.

I want to point out that all of the written text up top is FACT and for some total rubbish. However it is, this thing happened and will forever be etched in the history books of this great game. Also I understand that as a taboo theme not many people want to talk about it or let alone publish articles about it. I take full responsibility for any mistake or lies said here. I also want to mention that I have nothing against the current staff or administration in eRepublik. This is something that happened 9 years ago, people changed, and if nothing else accepted their fate.

Last but not least I have to finish my article in style and with the same words that I’ve been shouting at least once a day for many years now. Those people that fell on that day found someone that carried on their legacy for 9 years now. Maybe it’s time I find my substitute.

2nd of March 2011
NEVER FORGET

Because if not us, then who?

Prince of Austria, witness of the bloody 2nd of March