I: What Kind of Day(s) Has it Been?

Day 1,838, 15:39 • Published in USA USA • by The Artful Dodge

Before I begin, whoever it was that already subscribed to my paper, hugs to you good sir (or madam, though probably sir). I shall try not to disappoint.



Hello. I am The Artful Dodge. Rascal, scalawag, lover, and frequent user of Jean Dujardin avatars. Welcome to my humble paper, my digital hideaway where I can share the musings of my addled mind with you, the other players of this strange little game called lif...I mean eRepublik.


Now, I've only been at this a few days, but it would seem that there are just some people that take this game (and probably life) way too seriously. Exhibit A, which should come to no one's surprise, is Ronald Gipper Reagan (aka 5673 other names). I posted some semi-vague comment about idiots and trolls on a piece of his blather and almost immediately got a PM from him telling me that was not cool. Our PM tango has not ended, but I'd bet money it ends with him calling me a clueless newb and me laughing in a decidedly out loud fashion.

Despite his seeming irrelevance, the AFA has large numbers and it would seem they do pose a threat to the role-playing lifestyle that most here want to live. So imagine my surprise when I came across this article from Civil Anarchy. Apparently, some have grown complacent. Some have grown lazy or mistaken this for some kind of simulation of humanitarian decency and accommodation. Nay I say, this is a game! This is our game as much as it is theirs and if you would like to be able to play the way you want, then we need to band together and eliminate the threat.

Let me start a separate paragraph to drive home the point. It is not enough to continue containing the problem. We need to find some way to eliminate the threat.

Granted, repelling foreign influence can be a fun challenge (ask the original inhabitants of eNZ); but if that is not what you want, then it is up to each and every one of us to work together and find a way to fix it. Simple hopes and wishes won't make it so.


Tell me where to shoot

When you first start, you really do level up quick. I literally made it to lvl 20 in the first half hour after my account was activated. Then, I hit a wall of sorts. It took me nearly 24 hours to reach 21 and I am now just barely into 22. Not a huge deal, but you'd think they would make it more of a gentle upward slope, instead of a sprint smack dab into a wall.

I've been looking at the forum and old articles, and the history of this game fascinates me, particularly the foreign affairs stuff. The wars, the alliances, the cheesy/bad/awesome names for both! So much to read and learn. Compared to that, our current situation is both bland and a little sad. It seems the last few months have been a bit of a shambles and we have left some of our old allies out in the cold. What have we gotten to show for it? What have we accomplished in the last month or two? Anything of note?

It would seem I am not the only one to notice this, and I was pleased to see President Cerb mention in his quick update that we do need to reexamine our approach to foreign affairs. Lets hope the next POTUS can put together a solid plan.

No one can resist Coffey

That's all I've got for now; but I'll be back with more inane commentary and witty banter as needed.

-The Artful Dodge