Kevin's Watch

Posted: **Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:35 pm**

Hey 'Tankers.

Ever wish that you could be in charge of your own country? Well, now you sorta can.

Actually, Menolly posted this originally, and made me aware of it, but it's somewhere that not many people visit, so I'm guessing not a lot of you have seen it.

Nationstates is a free online game, in which you get to choose the lines along which your independant country develops.

Essentially, you create a country, name it, give it a flag, etc. Then, at a rate determined by you, (but no more than 2 a day unfortunately), you are presented with various issues, in response to which you choose the direction your country will go.

Based on those decisions, the game assigns descriptions and rankings to your country as it changes, including unforeseen consequences to those choices.

In it's simplest form, all the "game" requires is that you log-on once a day to resolve your issues. The next day, your resolutions will have been enacted, and the description of your country changed to reflect the new legislation.

In it's most complex form, members RP entire regions, there is a UN, and various regions use forums (seperate from the actual game, and not affecting it) to RP all sorts of things, including government.

Personally, I can't be bothered to go that far, but it's very interesting to see how my country develops according to my own political philosophies.

We have a Watcher-only region, called "Andelain," and it is not possible for anybody else to interfere with your country, or attack it, or anything like that. Although the serious gamers often role play those type of events, they are not even part of game mechanics.

I think it would be quite interesting to see how all your political views shape your own countries.

So check out

www.nationstates.net

And start your own communist/capitalist/whatever utopia.

If you do, the first thing you'll want to do is move your nation to Andelain. You'll need a password to do so, and you can PM either myself, Menolly, Cj or Murrin to get it.

Hope to see you all there...find out if your ideas are enough to make your world a paradise...or hell...whichever you desire.

--A

Posted: **Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:16 pm**

Sounds like something every politician should be made to play, and have their decisions open to public scrutiny!

Posted: **Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:18 pm**

I played this back in the day when it was called Jennifer Nation. Unfortunately, the game development died off right around the time that the book (decent), which the game was a promotion for, came out.

Ah, I see it's the same thing. wonder if I can remember the name of my old country.

Posted: **Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:28 pm**

If you can, you can restore it.

(So join in StoneMaybe.

)

--A

Posted: **Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:41 pm**

I'd love to, but I don't think I can commit to an every-day game. Will it work as a less-often thing?

Posted: **Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:42 pm**

Oh yes...you can set how often you get issues. And it doesn't matter if you don't check every day. Your issues will stack until there are 5 of them, then you won't get any more until you resolve the existing ones.

--A

Posted: **Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:12 am**

The Republic of Pliss-ken
"Glory Wears A Spur!"

Category: New York Times Democracy

Civil Rights:
Excellent

Economy:
Reasonable

Political Freedoms:
World Benchmark

Location: the Pacific

Regional Influence: Minnow

The Republic of Pliss-ken is a tiny, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its burgeoning mustang population. Its intelligent population of 5 million enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The medium-sized, corrupt government appears to have no policy direction whatsoever. The average income tax rate is 17%, but much higher for the wealthy. A tiny private sector is dominated by the Beef-Based Agriculture industry.

Crime is a problem, and the police force struggles against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Pliss-ken's national animal is the mustang and its currency is the wgd.

Posted: **Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:22 am**

Can't seem to find Andelain, though.

Posted: **Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:50 am**

Click on the "region" link on the left. In the "search for Region" type Andelain then click "Move to Andelain and put in the pw I sent you.

Cool.

--A

Posted: **Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:08 am**

There's no threat of war?
And you get to run the country?
Sounds like a liberal's wet dream!

Posted: **Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:10 am**

Or a conservatives...there are psychotic dictators and marxist utopias as well.

--A

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:05 am**

The People's Republic of Prebeistan
"He who works only for himself works against all others"

Category: Liberal Democratic Socialists
Civil Rights: Very Good
Economy: Struggling
Political Freedoms: Excessive
Location: the Pacific Regional Influence: Minnow

The People's Republic of Prebeistan is a tiny, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its devotion to social welfare. Its intelligent population of 5 million love a good election, and the government gives them plenty of them. Universities tend to be full of students debating the merits of various civil and political rights, while businesses are tightly regulated and the wealthy viewed with suspicion.

The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked, corrupt, socially-minded morass -- is mainly concerned with Social Welfare, although Healthcare and Education are secondary priorities. The average income tax rate is 47%, but much higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Book Publishing.

Crime is well under control. Prebeistan's national animal is the tick, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the ruble.

Sending a PM to Avatar for the PW to Andelain

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:09 am**

The Republic of Mugape
"We didn't do anything wrong - it's those damned British"

Category: Psychotic Dictatorship
Civil Rights: Few
Economy: Fair
Political Freedoms: Unheard Of

The Republic of Mugape is a tiny, environmentally stunning nation, renowned for its compulsory military service. Its cynical population of 5 million are ruled without fear or favor by a psychotic dictator, who outlaws just about everything and refers to the populace as "my little playthings."

The large, corrupt government concentrates mainly on Law & Order, although Defence and Commerce are secondary priorities. The average income tax rate is 27%, but much higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Gambling.

Crime -- especially youth-related -- is relatively low, thanks to a well-funded police force. Mugape's national animal is the ape, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the zimbo.

www.nationstates.net/mugape

Thought I'd create one just for fun

I'll probably let it die a horrible death through neglect

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:04 pm**

The Rogue Nation of Caveral
"Dum Spiro Spero"

Category: Iron Fist Socialists
Civil Rights:
Excellent
Economy: Fragile
Political Freedoms:
Few
Location: the Pacific

Regional Influence: Minnow

The Rogue Nation of Caveral is a tiny, safe nation, notable for its complete lack of prisons. Its compassionate, cynical population of 5 million are ruled with an iron fist by the socialist government, which grants its people the freedom to do whatever they like so long as it doesn't involve getting richer than anybody else or challenging the government.

The large, socially-minded government devotes most of its attentions to Social Welfare, with areas such as Law & Order and Religion & Spirituality receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 33%, but much higher for the wealthy. A substantial private sector is led by the Gambling, Furniture Restoration, and Woodchip Exports industries.

Crime -- especially youth-related -- is well under control. Caveral's national animal is the marmot and its currency is the cedar.

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:51 pm**

The Dominion of Inis Rua
"

:):) "

Category: Corrupt Dictatorship
Civil Rights: Good
Economy: Reasonable
Political Freedoms: Rare

The Republic of Inis Rua is a tiny, pleasant nation, remarkable for its absence of drug laws. Its hard-nosed, cynical population of 5 million are ruled with an iron fist by the dictatorship government, which ensures that no-one outside the party gets too rich. In their personal lives, however, citizens are relatively unoppressed; it remains to be seen whether this is because the government genuinely cares about its people, or if it hasn't gotten around to stamping out civil rights yet.

The medium-sized, corrupt government is effectively ruled by the Department of Law & Order, with areas such as Social Welfare and Defence receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 17%, but much higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Automobile Manufacturing.

Crime is moderate. Inis Rua's national animal is the fox and its currency is the ru.

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:26 pm**

The Dominion of VivAsana

Category: Civil Rights Lovefest
Civil Rights: World Benchmark
Economy: Good
Political Freedoms: Superb
Location: Andelain

Regional Influence: Diplomat
VivAsana is a WA Member

The Dominion of VivAsana is a large, safe nation, notable for its absence of drug laws. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 45 million hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The large, corrupt, liberal government concentrates mainly on Education, although Social Welfare and the Environment are on the agenda. The average income tax rate is 19%. A large private sector is led by the Book Publishing industry, followed by Door-to-door Insurance Sales and Beef-Based Agriculture.

Heavy industry must go to expensive lengths to dispose of waste, crime suspects are forced to submit to blood testing, there's a shortage of swinging hot spots as land development grinds to a halt, and expensive lawyers are hired to defend citizens in court for public urination charges against their pets. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. VivAsana's national animal is the hawk, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the dhana.

(Obviously these descriptions change as your policies take effect...btw, there is a nationstates thread in the main Gravin Threndor forum, but I think we should perhaps merge it into this one, since I doubt most of you frequent it. We're discussing a possible regional representative and our response to the latest WA Proposal.)

--A

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 7:55 pm**

double post sorry

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 7:56 pm**

oh alRIGHT plissken...

The People's Republic of Electric Luciland
"All you need is Love, and a big Bong"

Category: Left-wing Utopia
Civil Rights: World Benchmark
Economy: Struggling
Political Freedoms: World Benchmark
Location: the West Pacific
Regional Influence: Minnow

The People's Republic of Electric Luciland is a tiny, socially progressive nation, notable for its absence of drug laws. Its intelligent population of 5 million are free to do what they want with their own bodies, and vote for whoever they like in elections; if they go into business, however, they are regulated to within an inch of their lives.

The large, corrupt, liberal, socially-minded government concentrates mainly on Social Welfare, although Healthcare and Education are on the agenda. The average income tax rate is 32%, but much higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Beef-Based Agriculture.

Crime is relatively low. Electric Luciland's national animal is the lion and its currency is the piasta.

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:17 pm**

Heh.

Salesman Pliss!

Posted: **Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:43 pm**

So this is where y'all are coming from!!

The Most Serene Republic of The Illumined
"Lux et Veritas"

Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights: Very Good
Economy: Good
Political Freedoms: Rare
Location: Andelain

Regional Influence: Diplomat
The Illumined is a WA Member

The Most Serene Republic of The Illumined is a large, safe nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its compassionate, cynical population of 45 million are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

The enormous, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Education, Social Welfare, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 41%, but much higher for the wealthy. A large private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, followed by Basket Weaving and Cheese Exports.

The Illumined's educational system is the envy of many and regarded as a pinnacle of academic achievement, the nation has an international reputation for compassion, rumours have it that a secret police is responsible for the recent spate of missing persons, and government-run screening operations remove embryos with severe genetic disorders. Crime is totally unknown. The Illumined's national animal is the dragon of light, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the eärendilian.

The Illumined is ranked 2nd in the region and 37,398th in the world for Largest Pizza Delivery Sector.

Kevin's Watch

Nationstates - Have You Got What It Takes?

Nationstates - Have You Got What It Takes?