NationStates Jolt Archive


More Choices, Please

Wisdom and Logic
15-09-2004, 00:28
I've been playing for only a few months, but the issues I've been getting have been sadly lacking. Some recent examples:

Immigration:

1. kick everyone out, build a wall
2. let everyone in with open arms
3. make a game show out of it

Two extremes and a joke? Come on.

There are far too many that have 2 extremes and those are the only choices. Too many more add some odd middle-ground that leans in one direction - maybe we could have a fourth choice that leans in the opposite direction? Sorry, but when I first signed up for NS, I'd hoped I could just choose a lot of the basics of my government/nation (like allocating gov't funds with slide bars/a chart for military, health, education, etc.).

When I realized I'd have to wait to make policy decisions with issues, I was a little disappointed, but was interested in how it could work. Unfortunately, issues with little details and few choices always leave me 'dismissing' them, because I couldn't, in good conscience, pick either extreme for my country.

If I want to take NS at all seriously, I'd like to be able to make decisions, rather than sigh in disappointment that I don't have any intelligent lobbyists giving me better choices.
Redmontrial
15-09-2004, 10:07
I wholely agree.



There's no way to just set things... We have to wait for an 'issue' to come up to make any government policy.

Of course, it could be worse. You could be trying to play Superpower... You PAY for Superpower, which is a complete load of craptola.
Flochenstufen
15-09-2004, 10:19
The idea of this game is for it to be a bit excessive, and basic enough for anybody to be able to pick it up, if you add complex things like sliders, then many beginners will be put off. Also, if you don't like the issues, then add some yourself, and if you can;t think of nany, then don't complkain about others, who have spent the time and effort to come up with ideas themselves
Redmontrial
15-09-2004, 11:16
Sliders aren't complex to anyone who's ever changed the volume on their computer...

I mean, I know people can be idiots, but isen't that REALLY underestimating the average computer user?
Ballotonia
15-09-2004, 12:39
This is a game, not a really serious nation simulator.

As such, the issues are intended to be entertaining in some way. Having exagerated options is one of the elements of the game.

For the rest, this game is what you make of it. There's many ways in which to play the game, and many groups to join in doing so. Have fun!

Ballotonia
Pope Hope
15-09-2004, 13:26
A game created by an author to promote a satirical book is bound to be riddled with satire.

If you want to get more serious with the game, RPing is definitely the way to go. That's all in your hands. :)
Wisdom and Logic
16-09-2004, 04:57
Heh. Okay, understood. My suggestion of sliders and what I originally thought NS to be were just flavor to explain where I was coming from.

Honestly, I just want to have a few more options. A very good example is the one I got today:

Big power outage - how do we fix our grid?

1. Wind and Solar
2. Coal
3. Nuclear Fission

What about a few mid-range possibilities?
4. Work toward only Wind and Solar over the next 10 years while minimizing others?
5. Work toward a mix of Wind and Solar with Nuclear Fission?
6. Coal + Nuclear Fission
7. Some wacky Cold Fusion research funding choice?

Not all are required, but just another, rational, mid-range choice. I like the joke answers. This is all I'm concerned about: Simple answers are fine. I don't want to need a degree in economics to play NS. I'd just also feel slightly better knowing I'm not playing the Duplo version of Civilization, as well. :)
Frisbeeteria
16-09-2004, 12:47
I'd just also feel slightly better knowing I'm not playing the Duplo version of Civilization
No, it's the Duplo version of Civ while simultaneously having a pretend tea party with a bunch of diplomats and generals and such. It's important to include both, y'see.
Jjuulliiaann
16-09-2004, 14:29
I think the idea with sliders is great but it sounds like something that they may be holding for NationStates 2. You see, if they add in all these new features to the current game, people wouldn't want to pay for a slightly upgraded version. People might only pay if it is a whole new, super-complex, game.
Wisdom and Logic
16-09-2004, 18:28
Yes, yes. Sliders are neat. That's not what I'm on about. :)

More choices in the issues. That's all. :)
SixEyedSmily
17-09-2004, 00:36
^ ditto

see other thread ;)
Tuesday Heights
17-09-2004, 00:48
The issue choices, for all issues, are extreme and satirical taken on the same format as which Jennifer Government deals with... the extreme forms of "Capitalism" as Capitalizm. Thue, the site for self-promotion, obviously reflects that fact.