Change Status Quo

Day 3,575, 10:29 • Published in Croatia North Korea • by William Thomas Riker

I write this article after reading Demonaire's When Community fails to the Community itself and Gnilraps's Response to Demonaire and Community Failure. I recommend you read them.

TL; DR: they discuss Plato's aaaand Community's fault in this game becoming boring, static and not challenging (by Community they mean you, players. Yes, even the non-Visa ones). And while I appreciate both opinions, I have to agree with Demonaire on this one - it is largely becoming Community's fault.

While they discuss the Community at large, I write about similar effects in my neighbourhoo😛 the relationship between Croatia and Serbia. I did write on the issue before as well, and guess the results: common players were willing to experiment, even with as drastic ideas as an alliance between the two countries. Those in power, however, were not.

Croatia and Serbia going beyond NAP - Day 2,541
Cro-Serb MPP Referendum [cro/serb/eng] - Day 2,566
Balkanski savez na Star Trek način - Day 3,269 (Balkan Alliance in Star Trek manner)



Everybody knows that in RL the two countries waged a war in the 1990s, and that the RL animosity resulted in them being enemies here and recruiting large number of players on social networks. Agreed, it resulted in some epic battles back in the day (not today's "epic" batlles). They say animosity dwindled, but keep on being enemies because it is fun.

Wrong! It used to be fun when each country belonged to a stable, equally strong alliance. It was fun risking everything, trying to outsmart each other. Since I used to refer to Serbs as the Klingons of eRepublik, let me explain it with the quote below.


Kolos: "You didn't believe all Klingons were soldiers?"
Archer: "I guess I did."
Kolos: "My father was a teacher. My mother, a biologist at the university. They encouraged me to take up the law. Now, all young people want to do is to take up weapons as soon as they can hold them. They're told there is honor in victory – any victory. What honor is there in a victory over a weaker opponent? Had Duras destroyed that ship, he would have been lauded as a hero of the Empire for murdering helpless refugees. We were a great society, not so long ago. When honor was earned through integrity and acts of true courage, not senseless bloodshed."
Archer: "For thousands of years, my people had similar problems. We fought three world wars that almost destroyed us. Whole generations were nearly wiped out."
Kolos: "What changed?"
Archer: "A few courageous people began to realize... they could make a difference."

Why does this conversation remind us of eRepublik?
My father was a teacher. My mother, a biologist at the university. They encouraged me to take up the law.
There used to be an economy and professions, and journalism. Society was more diverse.
Now, all young people want to do is to take up weapons as soon as they can hold them.
Now, all eRepublik players only fight.
They're told there is honor in victory – any victory.
They fanatically accumulate (BH) medals and proudly display them, although they've become worthless.
What honor is there in a victory over a weaker opponent?
Why do rich fighters change divisions and win medals there as well?
Had Duras destroyed that ship, he would have been lauded as a hero of the Empire for murdering helpless refugees.
Mighty countries like Poland, Romania and Serbia rule "in glory" over weak ones.
We were a great society, not so long ago.
So were we. With over a million of players, or so they say.
A few courageous people began to realize... they could make a difference.
Now, I don't want to point how special I am, but DUUUH! Just joking. eRepublik is full of courageous people who bring new ideas either through articles, or the forum, but you people just don't listen! You just complain, on and on, and spit at new ideas and laugh at the people who come up with them.

You ask for change, and yet hang onto keeping the status quo so desperately. You've all become so narrow minded, and afraid to come out of your own minds to hear other people out, to embrace their ideas.

You've become slaves to status, titles, money and wealth in a virtual game! Even RL isn't worth such a serious treatment!



How can't you see: this is not working! Replace the word honor with fun. I ask you Croats, where is the fun in being conquered all the time? Serbs, where is the fun in easily conquering countries half way across the globe? Where are your worthy opponents?

And let me debunk excuses before you even say them:
- people will leave the game - hahahahahahaha
- we can't betray our allies - you mean the ones that turned sides 3 times already, or the ones that don't exist anymore
- no fun in enemies becoming allies - yes, I've been having a blast for the last 5 years
- too difficult for people to accept - it's quite easy actually, unless you suffer from some kind of neurological disorder
- game is ruined beyond repair anyway - so, why do you still play?


If they did it, why can't we?

Imagine all the new developments in politics and military! Something would actually start going on, and soon enough, journalism would liven up again.
At the end, I leave you some of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. Think about them.
15. Acting stupid is often smart
28. Morality is always defined by those in power
62. The riskier the road, the greater the profit
76. Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies
77. Go where no Ferengi has gone before; where there is no reputation there is profit
106. There is no honor in poverty
109. Dignity and an empty sack is worth the sack
119. Buy, sell, or get out of the way
157. You are surrounded by opportunities; you just have to know where to look
192. If the flushing isn't strong enough, use your brain and try the brush
267. Wish not so much to live Long, as to live well
270. It's better to have gambled and lost than to never have gambled at all
283. Rules are always subject to change

Live long and prosper!
WTR