[SPQR] Genesis

Day 1,876, 10:03 • Published in USA USA • by Publius


Why have all the great players left us?

This world was never interesting. Imbued with great potential, it always struggled to realize even a fraction. Specialists could have delved deep into the economy, media, military, or politics and mastered their mechanizations. Cross-pollination is even possible. The perennial question of whether money or the media is more important in winning elections could have been settled in this virtual world as titans of industry squared off against media moguls.

Yet rather than live up to our potential as a sandbox, we plunged into the depths of its most unattractive corner. Racism, rage comics, and trolling replaced substantive content. In-depth history lessons on the nuances of disputed territories or country names replaced teamwork and accomplishments. And replacing the stressed syllable in a country name with “FAIL” is not interesting or exciting.

As architects, the wigs are largely to blame. V2 was undoubtedly disruptive and a failure, but in its own way V3 has been just as bad. Shining us on with the façade of fairness, decisions were made that broke down the community's trust, stripped away any sort of strategical play, and prioritized short-term profits over meaningful growth. Like Vincent Sarius' typical Saturday night, the community has been left milked, battered, and at diminished activity from the slow abrasion of a thousand papercuts.

And yet, great players were still produced. Great economists, historians, military tacticians and commanders, turncoats, and even leaders of the chosen people have graced this world. Battles used to be so compelling pre-dawn alarms clocks were set and armchair generals would spend thousands of words debating game mechanics and strategy.

I was one of these greats. And now I can't tell you the last important battle I fought in. I have grown weary.

After the Exodus, I returned home to tend to my factories and the local brewpub and to watch the characters weave the next generation's tale. Liberated of any real duties, young players should have advanced. And a subset of these players—freed from the old players' glass ceiling—should have achieved greatness. And yet not a single newish player has. This disappoints me.


My moment of clarity

Why have all the great players left us?

Some will claim the great players left us because they moved on with their lives. The truth is the great players left us because we failed them. Given this wire-frame to work with, people need to spend the effort to build something worth talking about. Something worth sharing with others. And something worth investing one's own effort in. The great players of the past have left us because they ran out of accomplishments.

But this not an article that seeks to dwell on the past.

Through raw charisma and sheer force of personality, I have brought together the current and future leaders of our country. Players have cast aside their prejudices and are working with their former enemies. A spontaneous social movement is sweeping this land. We are building a new narrative. A new republic. Nova Roma.



Until now you were not sure why you kept logging in every day. I offer you a simple answer to that basic question. I will make you and your friends links in the narrative mesh that I am weaving over this barren wasteland. You will be a part of something greater than yourself. A new empire is rising.


SPQR IN OUR HEARTS
SPQR IN OUR MINDS
NOW AND FOREVER