An Analysis of NationStates Generations

[Machina Haruspex]

By my joining of NS, at least timewise, I'd be a Proteus Generation. Which makes sense I suppose. I joined in Jan of 2005.

As a heavy NS Role-Player, I've stuck to regions I happen to be involved with over actually using the main forums. Never felt a draw to those beyond what I found, such as Europa, Jethnea, The Exodus and Equinox's fine role-play community.

[Unibot]

Any Zeluses who want to comment about their generation's time, and outlook?

With Automagfreek being reclassified as a Protogonus (which makes sense), now the Zelus biography is looking very pale, and empty.

[Minineenee]

This is actually an interesting read, seeing the generations classified is a little fun. I'd just recently been discussing that younger generation of NSers in comparison to myself and the group I tend to deal with.

I was founded Fall of 2003 sometime, so I suppose that makes me Zelus.

[Unibot]

recently been discussing that younger generation of NSers in comparison to myself

And the findings of that Conclusion?

Keep in mind, that my essay states the newest generation is suppose to be similar in manner to your own.

[New Kervoskia]

A proteus? Damn I'm old. I remember in General when I was the young guy trying to post with the '03s and '04s. And in gameplay I have yet to encounter any of the newer generations you listed.

[Minineenee]

Hmm, the 'younger generation' I'd been discussing looks to be Lotophagi Generation on your scale here...

After I get some coffee in me, I can try to put together some coherent thoughts for you :-P

[NERV arms conglomerate]

technically im a thesaurus generation, but i first started back in good ol 2006 with my nation and her 3 puppets, then i disappeared until the thesaurus generation!

[Unibot]

And in gameplay I have yet to encounter any of the newer generations you listed

Well you've run into one Theseus in gameplay, right now. Hi!

Give it sometime, especially the Ralieghs, considering the date I set for their beginning was only a few weeks ago - meaning they're all fresh n00bs right now.

[Naivetry]

A proteus? Damn I'm old. I remember in General when I was the young guy trying to post with the '03s and '04s. And in gameplay I have yet to encounter any of the newer generations you listed.

*waves* Hi there, nice to meet you...

EDIT: Oh, and I said this on Jolt, but I like this a lot.

[Emperor Matthuis]

Impressive work, I applaud your efforts in analysing the history of NationStates, something I have always found very interesting.

[New Kervoskia]

A proteus? Damn I'm old. I remember in General when I was the young guy trying to post with the '03s and '04s. And in gameplay I have yet to encounter any of the newer generations you listed.

*waves* Hi there, nice to meet you...

EDIT: Oh, and I said this on Jolt, but I like this a lot.

omg a new friend. Hi!

And Unibot, check your TGs.

[Unibot]

And Unibot, check your TGs.

Check yours, Ha.

[Ness Snorlaxia]

Excellent write-up and read.

I was founded in July or August 2003, so that would make me a Zelus; I wasn't really active until the Proteus generation, though.

[Evil Wolf]

Somehow I knew my name would show up here

[Unibot]

Most of the original names I put down are players that happen to have posted on my fav, "NS World Adjustment: Feeders".

[Tzorsland]

This is an interesting analysis, but it appears to be missing a significant external factor, mainly the return of the "wayward sons," and the "children of the wayward sons." Basically there was a mass exodus of players to the falsely advertised NS2. This will end before the end of the month that will begin tomorrow and many meta regions are suggesting a return to the "holy land" of NS1. These players will have been strongly influenced by the multi-alliance structure of NS2. They may not be interested one whit in the NS1 traditional notions of region invasion and crashing. Given the sudden change in the game from [violet]'s new designs you may see a lot of interesting effects going on. They may become disgusted, or they may, knowing that there is no alternative to NS1, draw a line in the sand and make a stand.

[Unibot]

This is an interesting analysis, but it appears to be missing a significant external factor, mainly the return of the "wayward sons," and the "children of the wayward sons." Basically there was a mass exodus of players to the falsely advertised NS2. This will end before the end of the month that will begin tomorrow and many meta regions are suggesting a return to the "holy land" of NS1. These players will have been strongly influenced by the multi-alliance structure of NS2. They may not be interested one whit in the NS1 traditional notions of region invasion and crashing. Given the sudden change in the game from [violet]'s new designs you may see a lot of interesting effects going on. They may become disgusted, or they may, knowing that there is no alternative to NS1, draw a line in the sand and make a stand.

I'll give it some time to see the result, but I think thats a really interesting and valid point you bring up (at the time I wrote most this essay, NS2 had not closed down). These 'Wayward Sons' will be Ralieghs, and therefore they're scheduled to be the new rulemakers and enforcers of our newest institutions. I think, being from NS2, they won't have the same apathy to new concepts which will allow them to engage themselves in the new playground that the Theseuses are constructing as we speak.

Maybe they'll like the NS1 Theseus World better than NS2 - hence the second coming of a cultural awaking.

[North Avayu]

Wow, it had to be hard work to do this analysis. Great work.
Especially interesting to me who never witnessed any of the events described here, it gives a good overview of the NationStates history. According to the date you give, I would be a example of a Raleigh (founded in march but became active at this forum in may first). Let's see if i will evolve like you decribed it and if the future will happen like you predicted it.

[Gendara]

I definitely find this interesting, and even more so because I'd technically be a Proteus by this list, but I've never engaged into the over-culture of the game. Rarely posted on the forums, never really RPed, never bothered joining the UN/WA in-game, and so on. As such, I've never really been a social force, nor have I been shaped by them.

I'm sure my position as a long-term disconnected player is somewhat rare (most people either integrate in eventually or simply die off), and I suspect I may be one of the older ones out there (especially if we don't count people who were involved at some point but later dropped out). I'd almost be curious to see that sort of player mentality applied as per your model.

Internet communities do not have rises and fall, they only have one rise and one fall. The hardcore veterans are the ones who actually keep them going, alive, and who actually shape them.

I'd be inclined to agree, except for the fact that I've seen that sort of renaissance occur. It might be more accurate to say that the usual pattern is for any given site to peak, and then begin a slow, inevitable decay towards their ultimate decline, but it IS possible, if rare, for a given site to lose most of its original veterans, yet manage to pull in enough new blood to forge a new and vital community again.

If anything, it depends on how new members are recruited. A massive surge following a prolonged decline can easily work as a sort of "reset" to a community. Granted, the lingering veterans will rarely welcome this change, and tend to fuel a generational conflict between opposed ideals, but not always.

[Unibot]

I'd be inclined to agree, except for the fact that I've seen that sort of renaissance occur. It might be more accurate to say that the usual pattern is for any given site to peak, and then begin a slow, inevitable decay towards their ultimate decline, but it IS possible, if rare, for a given site to lose most of its original veterans, yet manage to pull in enough new blood to forge a new and vital community again.

I think you'll find the population boom won't be as big as it was in 2003 - but it will be self-evident.

[Zutroy]

i approve of this analysis! very impressive!

[Charlotte Ryberg]

You will find that the present generation will be very vibrant than the previous.

[Anagonia]

Hmmm..Zelus...interesting.

[Mushet]

Am I considered theseus generation because I came when the WA barely started, I voted on the Right to a Free Trial Resolution

[Unibot]

The first proposal I voted on was the "Nuclear Possession" one.

It caught my attention as a n00b.