[INTERVIEW] eUSA CP Candidates

Day 3,757, 07:56 • Published in USA Peru • by Hazelrah


TOMORROW we will elect our next Country President. Someone to follow Pfeiffer in what could possibly be his last term for quite some time.


I sit down with candidates Gnilraps and Centomax to help you get a feel for who you'd like to see lead us this month.

Gnilraps' Announcement and Cabinet articles

Centomax' Announcement

*Disclosure: The author is a member of eCP and has been nominated for a deputy position in Gnilraps' cabinet.



1. How would you introduce yourself to someone who’s never heard of you?


Gnilraps: I'd like to be the person who is second most happy that you’ve found this game. How can we make that happen?

Centomax: I would introduce myself by stating my experiences within eRepublik and that I am in the Socialist Freedom Party, of which is part of the Top 5 parties in the eUS.  I would then state which political leadership positions I have had both at the party level and at the national level. I have been a congressman twice, and I have been at all echelons of party leadership. I have been Deputy of Defense on two occasions.
2. You’re a member of eCP/SFP. Have you always been? Why the change?


Gnilraps: I've been a member of eCP ever since there has been an eCP. But I was USWP before that. The change was due to the fact that USWP had lost it's narrative in the game and was languishing without purpose. eRepublik should either be played with purpose or not at all.

Centomax: No, I have not always been a member of SFP.  When I first joined the game, I was originally a member of the Federalist Party.  Nothing exactly drew me to the SFP, just wanted a change of scenery and that's what I got.  People in the SFP are a group of active and fun individuals and we are all willing to help each other at any level.

3. Who would you say was your biggest influence in eRep that is no longer with us?

Gnilraps: Emerick showed me how to create something in this game. When I was new, reading Emerick’s propaganda, it made me want to play. That's my muse.

Centomax: My biggest influence would have to be Blondeninja.  I used to work with blondeninja in the eUS Military when it was still alive.  She taught me so much of what I know today.
4. Who is your biggest influence that you still communicate with?

Gnilraps: just another George, TheNorm, MQ… people who are like me in the respect that this game has provided therapeutic value in real life. Though this is just a business for Plato, for some it's a serious real life balm. That's me.

Oh, and obviously Clopoyaur.

Centomax: The biggest influence I still communicate with is Shiloh13, the current CO of Bear Calvary.  He, as with Blondeninja, has taught me alot.
5. Why do you still play the game?


Gnilraps: Because real life can be cruel sometimes and it's nice to have a retreat where friends gather for a common purpose. That's 99% of why I play.

Centomax: I still play the game for the sense of community and the basis of an online virtual world.  
6. Would you encourage a new player to try and enjoy the game or to quit and find another pastime? Why?


Gnilraps: Don't quit. You will not find a game better designed to enjoy playing without having to pay. Take Evry for example. Has been President of eUSA and continues to hold prominent positions in government and has never spent a dime.

However, if you want to sink money in, there's fun to be had there too.

If you hate people, though, quit now and go play Minecraft.

Centomax: I would definitely encourage to new player to try and enjoy the game because, even though the game has its faults, there is still some things to enjoy from it.  Such as, the people and sense of pride when participating in country politics or participating in battles.
7. What is your best advice to a new or reviving player?


Gnilraps: AIR COMBAT, Party involvement, Publishing… start there.

Centomax: My advice to a new or reviving player would be to find a mentor and get the education of the games mechanics.  I would also recommend to new players to fight in primarily air battles because ground battles have become insignificant in this stage of the game due to the competition of strength of existing players.
8. In your opinion, what is the most exciting thing happening in the eWorld right now? How can I get in on it?


Gnilraps: Well you said eWorld, so without question it is Clopoyaur's stream on Mixer. There you can meet players from dozens of other nations, interact in a fun and VERY positive environment, and if you're luck you might walk away with a giant prize. https://mixer.com/clopoyaur

Centomax: Well, the most exciting thing going on is in the eUS right now is this upcoming election.  Gnilraps is a very amazing individual and I believe this will be a great race.  Regardless of whoever wins, it will benefit this country greatly. Players can get in on it by talking with the candidates, finding out their strengths and weaknesses.  They can also get involved in country politics and be given a chance to learn whats its like. I have more positions to fill in such little time.
9. What is your opinion of the eUS forums and why?

Gnilraps: I have a broad range of opinions about it.

It could be the most useful tool eUSA has to contribute to its success. It's our historical archive, our town square, and our smokey back room. This is a game naturally designed to benefit from having a central hub that doesn't require real-time interaction (like discord). These are reasons I love it.

It's also not working at 100% right now which is very frustrating. I’ve been told it's being repaired soon. I don't love a broken forum.

Centomax: I believe the eUS forums are a great source of information for what's going on behind the scenes.  Its where the congress comes to vote and that is very beneficial as a congress always needs somewhere to meet and discuss proposals before they go up for a vote ingame, we don't need pointless proposals going up that have a low-slim chance of passing.
10. What’s your take on Parties & Congress?

Gnilraps: Broad question. Our Party is best Congress.

Congress is fun because it brings people from diverse parties together to wrangle over issues of relative importance with an ostensibly common goal, eUSA’s success. Do Congress.

Centomax: I believe this last congress election put some new players into congress, which in my opinion, is a good thing.  Putting new minds and new faces in our country's congress.  There has been some controversy with SFP congressman doing uncanny actions while in congress and the parties leadership has been working hard to educate new congressman on their duties as a eUS Congressman.
11. What’s your analysis of the current economy?


Gnilraps: Margins are very thin for the biggest producers. So if you are hiring employees at market wage to work in anything but the best designed AND located factories, you are probably losing money without realizing it. If that's you, let's talk. And actually, you should know that helping citizens assess things like this is going to be a major part of the new Department of Education. But this isn't a campaign speech so that's all I'll say.

Centomax: The current economy, in my honest opinion, is inflated.  I understand that is not at all the players fault but more the developers. I believe the taxes are in place due to our reckless war against Croatia, and I have no problem with it.  I believe there will be a point within the next few months where we will go back to our usual percentage of 1.
12. What do you consider the most fun part of the military module?


Gnilraps: The Military Unit. There's zero fun in clicking a red button. But there's tons of fun to be had in organizing yourself in conjunction with your mates to hit the right red button together, at the right time.

Centomax: The most fun part of the military module is the air battles.  I believe it could be improved if the developers would finally introduce perception.
13. Which foreign player do you get along with best?


Gnilraps: There are bunches, honestly. Many of whom play against eUSA. But Clopo takes the cake.

Centomax: I currently do not have any associations with outside players.
14. Favorite moment in eHistory?

Gnilraps: Wiping Canada in Operation Grey Cup. Not the most significant moment in eHistory, but my favorite one.

Centomax: My favorite moment in eHistory would have to be the cessation of mass PTO activities in the eUS.  By my estimates, PTO activity has drastically decreased in the past 2 months.
15. What do you hope to accomplish this month that hasn’t already been accomplished?

Gnilraps: I'll reword your question, since there's little to nothing that can be done in this game that hasn't already been done in bunches. But I hope to accomplish something that hasn't been done in a very long time, and that's to expand government in both roster and activity.

Centomax: Setting up a more thorough education system for our new players.  Being able to give them a better understanding of ALL concepts and not just a few.
16. Which cabinet nominee are you most excited about working with and why?


Gnilraps: Would-be Vice President LifesaverM. I had pretty in-depth conversations with everyone I sought out for involvement… interviews, really, because I want a government with a certain personality. Among all involved, he was the person I knew the least well in advance and I walked away from that interview feeling like I'd just met a super awesome person. He’s going to make good stuff happen.

Centomax: I am excited to be working alongside Salty as my VP.  He ran last month against a tough race with Pfeiffer.  He is a book full of knowledge and I believe he will do a great job as my right hand man.
17. Pick a controversial figure (Pfeiffer, Oblige, Rosa, etc.) and give us your take.

Gnilraps: Pfeiffer was controversial 5 years ago.
Oblige is only controversial if he shows up which isn't very often.
Rosa is contentious, not controversial.

So I don't like your list.

Chickensguys. He's controversial. The reason he is controversial is because his stated agenda (I want to be a nice guy and help people) is completely contract to his hidden agenda and proven record (I just want to create chaos and watch everyone wring their hands while I disappear again for a year). He’s controversial because there always seems to be someone willing to drink his Cool Aid.


Centomax: Oh lord, I will have to go with Rosa. He is just a controversial figure who believes he is just trying to rid the corruption, but in reality, he is just being a cyberbully.  For example, he has posted on all CP Candidates articles and in one way or another, calling them an idiot for numerous reasons that, in my opinion, are either inaccurate or just plain ignorant.

18. Tell us something unique or interesting about your RL persona.

Gnilraps: I've run 6 marathons, was a state champ 2 miler, and can still bang out a sub 6 mile at age 50.


Centomax: Well, not much fun things occur in my RL. I am in the United States Army, currently in school to change jobs from being a Correctional Specialist to an IT Analyst. A move that I wanted to make years ago. On my off time, I enjoy spending times with friends and being on eRep. I enjoy analyzing battles for my MU and recommending daily orders. I also enjoy assisting my party in its needs.



GUEST QUESTIONS from New Player Rob Guajardo

Gnilraps: He gets three questions? Nice.

1. How do you plan to improve transparency for programs offered such as AARP, MoW, and H4H to new members?

Gnilraps: I want to know what he means by improving transparency. If he means making the programs more visible, my answer would be by improving our New Citizen Message. If he means making the bookkeeping more visible to Congress, then I'd have to talk with Herr Vootsman and LifesaverM to see what's been done, then assess for the need for improvements if needed.

Centomax: I plan to improve transparency by not only including such programs into the New Citizen Welcome Letter, but also incorporating these programs into all official government media.
2. Do you plan to incorporate a mentor program?

Gnilraps: I don't currently have a plan for a mentor program, though eRep does. I'll look into it. Good idea, Rob G.

Centomax: I do plan to incorporate a mentorship program at the national level.
3. Specifically for Gnilraps: You said you want to have people in your administration that aren't "incessantly rude" how do you plan to enforce that?

Gnilraps: The key word is “incessantly”. Most people can be rude sometimes. But those for whom rudeness is a constant baggage will quickly out themselves. I only have one person - in a deputy level spot - who I feel a need to watch.



Closing Comments?

Gnilraps: I have to go to work now. Thanks for doing this. I hope it inspires others to keep reporting on government all month long.

Centomax: I would just like to close out with, whomever wins this election, will do a superb job of running this country.  This country needs a lot of revitalizing and both Gnilraps and myself have that goal in mind.



Thanks for reading, and a HUGE thanks to both candidates for taking over 30 minutes of their busy campaigns to answer these for me. I hope this helps you make an informed decision this month.

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