NationStates Jolt Archive

I have had one tenth of my entire Fleet stolen by a madman who has attempted, on many occasions, to overthrow my government and rule Klonor. He has, in fact, often succeeded.

One of my Fleets best Admirals has just gone rogue, taking with him the Flagship of the Seventh System Fleet and 10,000 citizens of Klonor.

A civil war is about to erupt in the Epsilon Pegasi system, based purely upon racial differences but will soon just become a contest for domination of the Association.

In the past I have had my territory invaded by unstoppable aliens bent on total extermination of the human race, have had my entire government all die instantly and plunge all of Klonor into anarchy where what was once my capital was conquered, other parts erupted into civil war (again), and still other parts embarked upon moronic and easily defeated wars of conquest with the dream of rebuilding Klonor. Even before that I have had massive Civil Wars on a Galaxy-wide level, with my economy devastated and my military torn to pieces.

You might ask "Why do you do this? Why lower the Power of Klonor?" My response: Because it's fun!

I go to these forums to Role Play. I do not care whether I win or lose (Okay, I actually do care and would really like to win, but it is not the top priority), I care whether or not I have fun. What fun is having a galaxy spanning unstoppable government if everybody hates you OOC and doesn't want to bother RP'ing with you anymore? Why embark on wars of conquest if you and the enemy both hate the RP and are just in it to expand their Empire or prevent it from collapsing? Why do any RP'ing if you're not having fun?

There is no way to 'Win' NationStates. There's no point in time where you can say "Ah, HA! I win! You all lose!" No matter how big you Empire or how mighty your Military, the game never ends. So why bother?

Over the past few months I have seen more and more RP's that work exactly as the RP's I have just stated. All the participants do nothing but whine and complain about the others, hurl GODMOD! accusations around, and say how they just hate the RP. I ask: If you hate it so much why are you in it? Are you in it purely to expand your territory? Then do what I did, find somebody who was looking for an excuse to shrink his territory and invade them. That way you both reach the goals you wanted. Are you in it just to defend your territory? Just ask the person (OOC, of course) to not attack you. Tell them you just don't want to be invaded right now. If they're a good person they'll accept it and not attack, if they're not then just call them a jackass and don't bother typing any responces in the invasion thread.

Don't Role Play just for the sake of Role Playing, don't have wars purely for the sake of having wars, don't conquer just to be the best. Do it to have fun. Pleasure is the entire point of this web-site (After promoting Jennifer Government) and you should get pleasure when you post here.

Just give having fun a shot. I think you'll like it.

I know what you mean. I join alliances so I can have more chances to RP. Heck, I declared war on myself for that reason - because I was bored and I needed something to do. Yes, it was fun going to war with myself because I could godmod and no one could do anything about it because both nations belonged to me - not that I actually did though.

Alas, it's kind of the decision of the player to do what he wants to do here, no matter how stupid, insignificant or improper it is to you. Maybe hurling insults and whatnot is fun for them? Who knows? It doesn't really matter, what you said here, what matters is that you can compromise with others on what is good and fun in roleplay.

Complete agreement here.

Yes! Finally, someone who understands that winning ain't evrything in this game. You can do anything, really, and get away with it...such as sending in an army of angry chipmunks. Why? Because they're angry!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/futureMARINE/Caddyshack_Revenge.jpg

I know exactly what you mean Klonor. In fact, the current RP I have going on will bring my nation a hairs breath from complete and utter annihilation. Its not good in the short run, but its damn fun. And isnt that the whole point of this?

I'll drink to that! Here, here!

Huzzah's around

OOC: I've personally played my nation and its actions to how a real nation would react to certain events. In some ways, "Vrak" has a life of its own in this regard. This also means that the rps I get involved in will have some kind of effect on my nation. I also don't join 101 alliances for the sake of rp but rather prefer to concentrate on the region and alliances I am already in to see what develops from there. That's just my take on it though.

I know exactly what you mean Klonor. In fact, the current RP I have going on will bring my nation a hairs breath from complete and utter annihilation. Its not good in the short run, but its damn fun. And isnt that the whole point of this?

Interesting words from someone who has been so ... kind and considerate that I'm aware of, and such a shining example of 'how to engage in cooperative rp' in terms of demanding it of certain others while sprinkling said demands with such flattering speech and complimentary titles, if I may be so bold. Yes, that is sarcasm you detect there, in spades.

Yes, it is all about fun, or ought to be. And when it isn't fun for those involved, why do it? Fun does not always mean happy fun parties and the like, no. Fun can be conflict, and loss, and all the rest that goes with that as many of us see the worth of them and are in it for the story - not for win/lose factor.

If there is no basis for some sort of at least marginal respect between players, I don't see how it can be fun. And if there's no potential for mutual enjoyment, good bad or ugly depending on the rp, why even bother? Like I've said before, it equates to self-pleasure with a cheese grater. Pointlessly painful and rather defeating the original purpose.

At any rate, yes, agree with the 'play for fun' thing. Also feel that in order to do that, you've got to have a bit o' that Golden Rule going on, and know when to stop, step back, and re-evaluate what you're doing and why. I think any of us are capable of getting a bit too caught up in the game, and losing the original aim of 'fun' by taking things too personally, winding up with a grudge or ooc issue that turns ic, looking for ways to 'get even' with someone over real or percieved slights, working yourself up to some crazy vendetta, etc - as, being human, we can all end up doing to one degree or another, depending on the situation.

At any rate, rambled enough.

--Nathi's Player (who is starting to wonder if this fever is really getting to her)


PS: Vrak - hear ya on that 'hundreds of alliances' biz. I don't know how some folks keep them all straight. *grins* You do a fine job of yours, regardless. Has been fun.

I play K-T as an incredibly powerful character- who has not yet won a major battle in the NS world. The point is, as you say to have fun, so I'm perfectly willing to lose.
Of course, it helps that my character is immortal....

I RP for fun. If I didn't have fun here, I wouldn't be here... 18 months later, still out of chewing gum and left only with the option of kicking ass. Now, there is the little fact that I haven't been in a real war since WW6 fell apart, but I have annexed one of my other nations and have beat a few smartasses down.

I don't RP to expand my power. Hell, for months, I did nothing but CO-RPs. Funny how every one of those chars died though... oh well.

Anyway, where was I? Ah. RPing for fun... I don't ever go into an RP unless it looks like fun. And if it isn't fun, I bow it if possible. If not, I finish ASAP.

I see my nation as my dream world. Most of the time, I wish I could be in Crimmond. Not as leader, but as a regular, SMG toting, mildly xenophobic, speed freak citizen.

Interesting words from someone who has been so ... kind and considerate that I'm aware of, and such a shining example of 'how to engage in cooperative rp' in terms of demanding it of certain others while sprinkling said demands with such flattering speech and complimentary titles, if I may be so bold. Yes, that is sarcasm you detect there, in spades.

How glad I am that there is allways someone I can trust to start the flaming. As far as I can recall, I have demanded absolutely nothing of anyone, merely asked a certain someone what was his problem when he was constantly insulting a certain group I was involved with. The reason that since this is all for fun was why I brought that topic along in the first place.

Now, be good and take this quite frankly pointless bit of attempted "moral high-road" tactic somewhere else.

Hmm theres no way to win in NS?

I think that depends on how you define winning.

Is there a way to win, in life? Life is like NS in some ways.

And yes, there is an end - to both. I don't know about everyone else, but I don't intend to play NationStates up to and beyond my death, and will probably lose interest at some point long before then. Therefore, for me, there will be an end to it.

I don't think you can entirely say NS is about PLEASURE. I mean... there are certain drugs that are all about pleasure. This is a game, and games are generally fun, but it's also a nation simulation, a political game, a microcosm to test concepts in a universal battle of concepts, wills and agendas. As such I don't expect to be in a state of pure ecstacy when I'm playing this game. For me it's not really about pleasure, anyway. When I think of "pleasure," NationStates usually isn't the first thing I think about, lets just say that.

But I still play. It's enjoyable. And it has rewards. But I don't think everyone is in it for the same reasons, or with the same goals (i.e. having fun).

And if you look at it from a perspective of goal setting and rewards, if you look at it that way, there IS a win, there IS a lose. It's just the terms of those are not dictated to you by the game, you determine them yourself. But they're there.

How glad I am that there is allways someone I can trust to start the flaming. As far as I can recall, I have demanded absolutely nothing of anyone, merely asked a certain someone what was his problem when he was constantly insulting a certain group I was involved with. The reason that since this is all for fun was why I brought that topic along in the first place.

Now, be good and take this quite frankly pointless bit of attempted "moral high-road" tactic somewhere else.

Oh, I think there was a point. And I think you got it. No attempt at moral anything, just making an observation. And believe me, if there were flaming, you'd know it. And I'd fully expect to get warned on account. If you think that style of delivery was 'merely asking' then I suggest you reconsider your frame of reference. I reiterate 'if there is no mutual respect, there isn't much chance it will be fun'. If you had any to begin with, your 'merely asking' would have had a much more amicable tone.

Now that I've caught your attention, I suppose I too can be flamed and complained about and shredded on your private forums as well. Excellent. *grins* But hey, so long as you're having fun ...


Santa Barbara - good point there on the 'win' thing. I'd say if your aim is to enjoy and develop your nation how you want (win or lose in conflicts and the like, regardless) then yeah, I think it's a win. If your point is to irritate and annoy and be as big an arse to folks as you can (I'm sure we're all familiar with some of the rabid flamers and spammers and needlessly screaming 'I ANNEX J00' sorts that exist) you may very well 'win' to an extent, but I can't help but think you come out losing in the end. *shrugs*

I agree. I just recently semi-invaded a nation who was selling slaves. I, of course, condemned the practice and whatnot and went through all the talking part of the negotiation. Then, via TG, we set up a thread where I sent special forces in and created an army from freed slaves.

My point is that I didn't just outright attack him, like I've seen some people do. We coordinated together and created a sort-of interesting post. There's too much of people just going around looking for a nation to condemn and then attack.

OOC: I have often pondered this question myself... Kudos to Klonor for putting my thoughts into words.