Military Units Demonstrate the Reason eRepublik Will Fail
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by General Lex Luthor
The recent changes to Military Units have been well documented in articles written by smarter men than I. However, I have become increasingly concerned with what is happening with MUs. It is an issue that has been around for a long time, but the new changes have emphasized it.
Let's look at this from the eyes of a new eRep player. The new player clicks on Military Units and is provided with two options: Create their own unit or apply to one of the existing ones. If they are anything like me, they first click on Create your own. Then they are shown the ridiculous gold requirements one must meet to do this and quickly hit the back button. They begin looking through the existing MUs to choose one of them, thinking it will be a single click and they're in. Wrong. The descriptions for each MU state that to apply you have to go to URL X and complete a form. Then you have to go to URL Y to sign up for a forum. Then post in Thread 1 to gain access to post in Thread 2 to get your commune assignments. As a new player, halfway through that description I have closed out the window and am back to playing something NationStates or Cybernations.
Currently, there is only one MU that I am aware of that does not require these arbitrary hoop jumps to reinforce their exclusivity and sense of importance. That MU is known as A N O N Y M O U S. However, the problem with this MU is that it has been marketed to the "two-clickers" who simply login, work and train, and leave. This is a terrible demographic to target for MU members! If you are not in an MU to fight, why are you in an MU?
Surely there is a happy medium. Surely there is a group of people who don't come online to feel like they are at the freaking DMV, wrapped in red tape, but would love to be unified in kicking ass for the eUSA.
Or maybe I'm expecting too much.
My point is, if new users are met with this current elitist social system upon first signing up for an MU, they will leave. We must welcome them and make things easy for them to do the most they can. This is the internet after all. People have other options.
EDIT: I have been made aware of a few additional MUs that don't have additional requirements or hoops: Liberty Corps, Technocratic Drones and the Libertarian Militia.
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Nice article! One thing is worth clarifying:
"2 clickers" in modern times *does* imply fighting, since battles are always going on so it is easy to fight in them as part of logging in. In the past (years ago) this was not the case because battles were more rare and often scheduled to start at a certain time each day/night.
~hyuu~
Fresh look at it.
Us old folks just don't get shocked as much, we've grown accustomed.
Noted Libertine!
@Arovistus That's perfectly understandable. I think that's why we all need to look at it a different way from time to time.
Thanks!
great article! voted.
let's not rule out the libertarian militia. i am a member but i'm not selling it. you'll find out more about it in its description. in fairness, it isn't doing nearly as much damage as A N O N Y M O U S.
The only thing I want my members to do is fight every day. I hate seeing people in my MU that haven't fought in a week, they get the cranky message from me, MU whip.
😃<
@SPC91X Just read the description. Love it and might have to join it lol.
"Currently, there is only one MU that I am aware of that does not require these arbitrary hoop jumps to reinforce their exclusivity and sense of importance."
Here's another one.
http://www.erepublik.com/en/main/group-show/1021
Actually pretty much the extreme opposite to sect-like MUs, only the daily orders (following DoD orders) to get the freebies, and nothing else.
v+s btw. and best luck running for congress.
@Stranger Thanks for the information. I have edited the article with the few additional groups you guys have told me about.
And thank you also for the good luck wish for Congress!
Excellent
The real issues are the Military Communes of Yore; Military Units are good for players of all skill levels for the influence bonus and daily 25 kill reward.
Also, We Techs feel the same way you do Dusty; We require no forms or URL's... all you have to do is Join up and fight. What you do from there is entirely your choice with no employment or political provisos.
http://www.erepublik.com/en/main/group-show/1110 is the in-game link to the Technocratic Drones, currently supporting the liberation of eVirginia.
Actually the SEALs MU is open to any US citizen wanting to gain the benefit from daily battles and have their influence directed by a SEAL Officer and put it toward a fight that is important.
You need to fill out a form, be selected, work a commune and all that stuff to get the benefits of being a SEAL. But the MU is open as long as you're fighting for the US.
@Tiamati.Magick
I agree that MUs are great when they are inclusive and active. Also I have added the Drones to the caveat at the end of the article. I do wish that these inclusive EUs would become larger.
@Maxx Johnson, I understand that The SEALS allow anyone in, however from a new player POV, the form, the selection process, communes and forums are an obstacle that will most likely turn them away.
@Dusty.
I mean literally no forms in regards to the in game MU. We only kick out members who are a problem or fight against the US.
You can be a "member" of the in-game MU, get your daily bazooka and candy bar, have your damage directed by people with access to NSC with the click of 1 button "join".
If you're talking about being able to get supply and have the benefits of being in an MU without having to do the work of filling out a form, joining a forum, working in a commune I'm afraid that just isn't feasible on a large scale due to cost.
Well, the actual eUS military branches use that process because there are actual requirements to meet before you CAN join. In the case of say, Special Forces, you've got to be able to hit for at LEAST 4k damage per hit. They're government supported, and as such, they want the most bang for the tax dollars. So they commune to reduce the tax impact. Obviously, nobody's trying to force anyone into an official military branch and there ARE options out there for you. Just trying to clarify the reasoning behind some of the hoops. The branches like to guarantee maximum activity.
@Maxx Johnson, I don't like communes. This game provides us with the ability to supply ourselves. I think the Federal Govt has implemented several good programs to help new players advance enough to be able to survive without communes. The only benefit I am looking for in an MU is to fight for a common goal with a good group of people, not to mention the bazooka and candy bars.
@Liquid Oxygen, I definitely understand that and I think in the cases of the official eUS military that's okay. But when a new user has to search through a ton of MUs to find one that doesn't require arbitrary hoops and has more than 5 members, it makes me fear for the future of the game. After all, we are on the internet which means we are competing with porn lol
Pickles Patriots doesnt have any reqs. Or at least it didnt 2 weeks ago.
I agree with you. So lets get a bunch of us together and make that middle ground. Have 40 people send .5 gold or 20 people send 1 gold each or however we attain it. Then be a ELITE ANONYMOUS of some sort. The aggressive version of anonymous if you will. Nice article. Subbed!
I'm a three-clicker. I don't even know why I play still - originally I was hoping to develop the economic aspect, but things keep changing and that's no climate to get really involved with the module - too uncertain and dysfunctional. Now, all I have left is gaining military rank and trying to get enough economic resources to achieve greater self-sufficiency to meet that end.
@Marcus Anthony, I am more than willing to do that. If I can get enough support for that I will gladly start it up!
@Bill Hook, I am very interested in the economic aspects and that's why the very heavy reliance of joining an MU that forces you into a commune irritates me.
Thats why I joined ANONYMOUS. I didnt have to sign up for 2-3-4 other things. Just click, friend request the commander and boom, I was in. All of this crazy sign up for this, then that, then this, is all a lot of nonsense. I really hope more MU's like ANONYMOUS pop up and grow. Something for people a little more than two clickers.
Great article, vote. Good luck.
this is why their should be national food program for current non govt funded people
@Lexone There are Federal programs like meals on wheels and Bewbs 4 Noobs. Both good programs!
I think you are exactly right Dusty.
Thanks for bringing this to light. I will be working with EZC brass to streamline the process for joining that MU.
Great article. Voted.