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Day 2,997, 23:26 • Published in USA USA • by Matt Oaks

In my life, I try not to come off as a person who thinks they know better than other people or someone who thinks they know best..... which is why I'm writing this novel on everything you guys (eRepublik community) have done right and wrong in recent eRep history 😃.

This is meant as objective and helpful guidance from a former 'successful' player who really doesn't give a s*** anymore which only makes this advice more valuable. I'd encourage you all to read on. I plan on covering everything I can think of as I write this at 1:50AM so buckle in.

First off, does anyone remember me?

Lol. I couldn't possibly care less (not because I don't like you people but because eRepublik no longer consumes my life) to be honest. But if you do (initiate humility), I was something of an eRepublik "prodigy" of my time. If you really care you can look at my early articles and I challenge anyone to show me someone who rose faster through the mostly meaningless ladders of eRepublik than me. Part of the reason for that I'm going to talk about now. But I expect you don't care so just know, I'm a former player who's about to give you some much needed, no BS advice.

Who am I in real life?

For those of you who remember me, I probably lied to you at some point about who I am in real life. For some reason I thought that would give me a benefit in progressing through this game but that was before I realized just how set in stone the upper ranks of eRepublik are but thats for later.

I am a 17 year old high school student from Ontario, Canada. My favourite shows are political dramas like House of Cards and the West Wing. I am an aspiring lawyer but thats just as a stepping stone to becoming a politician and participating in the broken, biased environment that is politics in the United States. I scored 35 on my ACT and am applying to Harvard, Yale, McGill and Georgetown for political science. Why does any of this matter? You'll see because we're getting to the first thing eRepublik could do better.

Play up the professionalism....a little

I joined eRepublik because in real life I want to be a politician and I saw an opportunity in this simulator to get a sense of what it's like to be one (with no delusions there wouldn't be differences, it is the internet). Hence my enthusiasm. My enthusiasm is what made me so successful. This brings me to the first person I want to thank (I'm going to do a big thank you list at then end) which is Hale26. I reached out to Hale day 1 (or 2 or something) about getting a job in WTP. Why WTP? Im a libertarian IRL they didn't force line toeing so ya. He responded positively and away I went on my journey. But here's the point:

This community has gotten a little too comfortable. eRepublik is a game. I get that. This is not the White House (though that place is a bit of a joke too sometimes) and I dont think it should be. However, I do think a little role play (oooh scary word around these parts) and a little professionalism in the operations at all level (MU's, parties, gov't, etc) makes this game much more attractive for social simulator seekers. With a game dying to attract new players, you're gonna need more Matt Oaks'. Onto the next item.

Lose Dio

What is Dio? I still don't know. Lose it. Get rid of it. It creeps out and confuses new players and it's just something the same people like saying and they've been saying it for years. NEXT.

Gov't MU = GOOD

Yeah, USAF has its inefficiencies but I dont care about that because this write up is about attracting players. The USAF is good because it provide a safe, approachable, and real world friendly first choice for new players when it comes to MU's. Play it up, advertise it big time. New players like the sound of the United States Armed Forces. NEXT.

Old guard needs to move to the back seat a little

There is a very healthy population of players who have been playing eRepublik for a long time. Yes, I just used the words "healthy population" and eRepublik in the same sentence. That's rare cause its the only healthy population. Many are taking opportunities to bring up new players and they should be commended for that (Hale, Aramec off the top of my head). These mentors are invaluable to the new player experience and made my early game very enjoyable. The same people can't sit in the seats for too long. There's something to be said for keeping the seats warm but burning holes in them is gonna cause a lot of new players to fall through (WAS THAT DEEP OR WHAT). NEXT.

Newspapers......MOAR

The newspaper in its abstract conceptual form is one of the most attractive parts of this game. Crisp government and party articles give a sense of community and immersion that can be very exciting for new players. Now articles that show up where someone is bashing someone else for something they said on IRC 3 decades ago is NOT attractive to new players. I LOVED writing articles and my writing was generally well received and it enriched my experience. Encourage that if you're smart. NEXT.

Economy

Hey, you, yeah you, newsflash. The economy in this game makes no sense. Yes you're right, real world economic theories don't apply but when a new player suggests lowering the work tax to help producers or some other common sense economic policy explain to him kindly why or why not that applies. Don't shoot him down just cause he/she gets excited about sharing what they just learned in their AP economics text book. NEXT.

Congress, make it more accessible

When I was in Congress I voted on the party line or whatever the one guy I looked up to voted. Let me explain something that many of you may not realize. First time congresspeople that haven't been appropriately coached, DONT KNOW WHAT THE HECK THEYRE VOTING ON. Teach them. Explain. Spend the time. NEXT.

Clear up foreign policy confusion

I don't care how you do it. Newspapers, messages, guides I dont care. Explain to new players who havent been a part of the eUSA for 5 years what the current rivalries, friendships are and why theyre there. Why are we fighting Indonesia? Tell them. NEXT.

Bring back eNPR

That was awesome. I don't know if it's back but if it's not, bring it back. NEXT.

Government portal is FANTASTIC

Scott's gov't thingamajig? Brilliant. That is EXACTLY what this game needs. Remember the professionalism thing? Giving the gov't a clean look with an official aura to it even if noone appreciates it yet, makes it so maybe the next time someone stumbles upon eRepublik they might be like "Oh this is official looking I want in on this". This is also why official looking party websites are important too. Anyways, great work Scott, keep it up. NEXT.

Don't condescend new players. You know who you are

I did an article when I was starting out talking about my successes so far and the amount of comments I got saying things like "oh here comes another 3 month burnout" was staggering and very discouraging. ENCOURAGE enthusiasm don't belittle it. NEXT.

What do you say we all be a little nicer?

Naive? Probably. But let me say this: There is nothing more intimidating than a bunch of veterans arguing about some irrelevant point noone but veterans understand. It gives a sense of hostility in the game and scares away new players. MAKE THIS GAME APPROACHABLE.

And that is it right there. eRepublik MUST BE approachable. You veterans, you old guys and gals, the old guard, you're an intimidating bunch to a first time eRepublik player. But you're also their greatest gift. Help them out, take them under your wing, show them the ropes. You don't have to be part of a gov't education program to do that. You just have to be a good eRep player.

Now to my thank you list:

Hale26 - My original boss as party leader of WTP. Thanks for giving me my start in this game, meant a lot back then and it still does.

MazzyCat - So.... mazzy. Remember when I went on eNPR and you thought my voice was attactive? 17! Hehe. Thank you Mazzy so much for my time in WTP. I know I left for the Feds abruptly but I was shooting for the stars (or so i thought XD )

Aramec - My late career mentor. Many of you don't know this but Aramec approached me with this huge plan for my pathway to POTeUS. That's right. This was a half-year long detailed plan to get me into the big chair. Though I deserted before we could see it through I thank you my friend.

Orik - My boss over at the Feds. Thanks for listening to Aramec and giving me a shot at Media at the Feds. Had a great time.

Yui - I'm better at Rocket League.

Lucius - My fellow enthusiastic new player. Don't know if you're around but it was great playing with you.

MrCarey - Duo in crime. Our exit from WTP ruffled some feathers but we had a plan haha. Idk how you've done over the past little while but I imagine it's a good story.

I may edit this later as I reminisce about my eRepublik days and remember great people but for now that's all I got.

So that was it. My big, no BS advice pitch to you guys. Take it or leave it. I can honestly say it won't have a big emotional effect on me either way.

For those wondering why I left: I had a close family member near the terrorist attacks in France when they happened so my life was hectic for about a week around then. I then made a life choice for school and my social life to stay away from eRep. Its most likely that will continue.

So while this was not the purpose of this, I guess this is also my official farewell to all you people. I truly do hope this game has a second wind.

Adios amigos.

Now I get to read all these great incoming comments. Yay.