How would you explain Nation States to your parent/guardian?

[The Laxus Union]

Hey guys.


So how would you or how have you explained to your parents/guardians what NS is? Im having some trouble already. My mother thinks it probably another "dangerous" social media website. I would like to take from what you guys have said. Was it easy? Was your guardian understanding?

[Prezelly]

Tis a game. Where commies offer questions and fascists give answers

[Benian Republic]

Tis a game. Where commies offer questions and fascists give answers

And where lady violet prepares to sacrafice us

[Irav]

If anyone ever asks me I always answer that it is a simple game where you make your own country and then do stuff with it.

[The Greater Nordic Federation]

Hey guys.


So how would you or how have you explained to your parents/guardians what NS is? Im having some trouble already. My mother thinks it probably another "dangerous" social media website. I would like to take from what you guys have said. Was it easy? Was your guardian understanding?

Hello friend, simply say it is but a Government emulator. Like Civilization but further in depth.

[United Marxist Nations]

Political game where people talk about abortion, some guy defends Stalin in every thread he is mentioned in, while Joe Biden sarcastically rails against people with unrealistic views on how social-democracy works.

[Prumia]

I explain it to people as an "ideology simulator with a heavy liberal slant." Not exactly accurate in the strictest sense, but it gets the point across. If they still care, I go on to explain the "issues" system and that does it for most people.

As far as how well my family takes/took it: by the time I found NationStates I was already in my late teens and arguing about politics anyway so it did not really surprise anyone. I even convince my father to get on for a while, but he quit because of the aforementioned "liberal slant" to the way the issues are worded. He did run his nation on 0% taxes, though, so that is something.

I would like to take from what you guys have said.

If you are trying to justify this game to your family, I would stick with the ideology simulator idea I mentioned above. If you are in your teens at all you can just say you are developing/expanding your interests in government. Try to avoid details about the forum, though; we all talk about some strange and/or messed up things (sh*t) here and, depending on your guardians, they might not approve of that.

[The Land Fomerly Known as Ligerplace]

Hey guys.


So how would you or how have you explained to your parents/guardians what NS is? Im having some trouble already. My mother thinks it probably another "dangerous" social media website. I would like to take from what you guys have said. Was it easy? Was your guardian understanding?

Honestly, you would have been better off hiding its existence, but to each his own.

As to what it is? Nationstates is a casual text simulation of government management, where you can make your ideal nation become anything you want. It also comes with a vibrant community of other players and roleplayers, a forum to discuss all sorts of topics, and...that's it.

Basically Facebook for nerds.

[Kiruri]

...

[South Pacific Republic]

They do not know of its existence

[The Land Fomerly Known as Ligerplace]

I am my own parent/guardian.

I've never had to explain what NationStates is to anyone, but if I had to I'd probably just tell it like it is. A simple nation simulation game with a lively forum and even livelier people.

By the by...,

rumor has it that this here forum has a rather "special" sub-forum that only appears between 11 PM and 3 AM EST called NationStates@Nite. Not many know what this sub-forum is or why it even exists. Some say that it's a secret portal to the Deep Web, but who knows, right? Others claim that said sub-forum will appear every Friday the 13th at exactly 03:33 AM to only a few unlucky souls. If you were to click on it at that time your computer would suddenly freeze. If that were to happen, rest assured Anonymous has probably hacked your computer for the greater good. Your only hope would be to smash your computer with a sledgehammer and sprinkle it with holy water before burning it with fire. After you've completed the ritual you'd do well gaining a new identity and perhaps a new computer.

Going by the rest of these forums, it probably sucks eggs anyway.

[Naretion]

It's a game. Plain and simple.

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

"Imagine if tumblr were a game..."

[The Risen Jaguar Warriors]

My mother (being ultraconservative (AND Luddite) Chinese) thinks NationStates is:

- A diversion from my schoolwork <--- Typical Asian parenting
- A dangerous place where I will follow someone in real-life and disappear <-- Took me forever to convince her otherwise
- A carcinogen (like the computer) <--- WTF?!

My father (being a bit more progressive, disbelieving what MOST of television has to say AND thrifty, despite being 80) thinks NationStates is:

- Fine as long as I "don't give out bank details"
- A bit of socialising which is good
- The only friends I have
- A diversion from my schoolwork

[Lavan Tiri]

Say it's a thing for people with no life.

[Acharastan]

I explaned it to my parents as:

A game where you create a nation and solve issues to form it. Each issue has unintentional consequences and teaches you the good and the bad of all decisions, which is very important in life. You also get huge discussions about world events, hearing everyone's side of the story.

[The Risen Jaguar Warriors]

I explaned it to my parents as:

A game where you create a nation and solve issues to form it. Each issue has unintentional consequences and teaches you the good and the bad of all decisions, which is very important in life. You also get huge discussions about world events, hearing everyone's side of the story.

Wow...

You, sir, deserve a medal.

[-The Unified Earth Governments-]

Hey guys.


So how would you or how have you explained to your parents/guardians what NS is? Im having some trouble already. My mother thinks it probably another "dangerous" social media website. I would like to take from what you guys have said. Was it easy? Was your guardian understanding?

Hello friend, simply say it is but a Government emulator. Like Civilization but further in depth.

But worse graphics and dumber decisions.

[Lavan Tiri]

Hello friend, simply say it is but a Government emulator. Like Civilization but further in depth.

But worse graphics and dumber decisions.

And more liberals.

[Distruzio]

It's a breeding ground for the liberal muslim atheist rainbow parade to plot their eventual overthrow of the US government and it is my holy duty bequeathed upon me by Joyce Meyers herself to stop them.

[Reploid Productions]

While I was already a legal adult when I started playing Nationstates, I have had to explain what the game is to people numerous times. If you're looking for the "how to spin it in a positive manner to a parent" angle, I would suggest something along these lines:

"Nationstates is a political simulator in which the player is faced with difficult decisions about how their country is run. Subjects the player must weigh include political matters, economic decisions, and social/moral choices that can have sometimes drastic or unintended consequences for the citizens of the player's nation. In addition, players may participate in crafting multi-national legislation with other nations through the game's World Assembly. Nationstates is also used in several schools ranging from elementary school classrooms all the way up through university level government and civics courses."

[Lavan Tiri]

While I was already a legal adult when I started playing Nationstates, I have had to explain what the game is to people numerous times. If you're looking for the "how to spin it in a positive manner to a parent" angle, I would suggest something along these lines:

"Nationstates is a political simulator in which the player is faced with difficult decisions about how their country is run. Subjects the player must weigh include political matters, economic decisions, and social/moral choices that can have sometimes drastic or unintended consequences for the citizens of the player's nation. In addition, players may participate in crafting multi-national legislation with other nations through the game's World Assembly. Nationstates is also used in several schools ranging from elementary school classrooms all the way up through university level government and civics courses."

But say it like an actual person, mkay?

[Reploid Productions]

While I was already a legal adult when I started playing Nationstates, I have had to explain what the game is to people numerous times. If you're looking for the "how to spin it in a positive manner to a parent" angle, I would suggest something along these lines:

"Nationstates is a political simulator in which the player is faced with difficult decisions about how their country is run. Subjects the player must weigh include political matters, economic decisions, and social/moral choices that can have sometimes drastic or unintended consequences for the citizens of the player's nation. In addition, players may participate in crafting multi-national legislation with other nations through the game's World Assembly. Nationstates is also used in several schools ranging from elementary school classrooms all the way up through university level government and civics courses."

But say it like an actual person, mkay?

Well yes, mine was more of formal description, not a conversational one.

But seriously. The bit about schools. Should be major brownie points with parents.

[Acharastan]

But say it like an actual person, mkay?

Well yes, mine was more of formal description, not a conversational one.

But seriously. The bit about schools. Should be major brownie points with parents.

Yea. No offense, but if I gave that description to my friends, they'd be all like "Lol dude stfu and play some COD". I need new friends.

[Lavan Tiri]

But say it like an actual person, mkay?

Well yes, mine was more of formal description, not a conversational one.

But seriously. The bit about schools. Should be major brownie points with parents.

Mine were just like " Meh."