NationStates is Doomed! The End of the World is Upon Us!!

[Unibot III]

Or not.


I have the great embarrassment to quote my first NS essay from 2009 where I predicted NS would be dead in 2016. And we still don't have regional issues.

I greatly exaggerated the working speed of the administrators - the big R/D Conference in 2012 threatened to rip apart Gameplay like Regional Influence did, as I predicted - but it's not like much has been implemented from it.

Predicting the Future of NationStates

Using this model, I can lay out a prediction of the future. The Theseus generation will convince other significant members of the generational landslide that a course of action needs to be taken to combat the Great Decline. Consider this time an epic battle of ideologies, generational rivalries, and a rebirth of social institutions. Older, wiser and well respected members of NationStates will awake from their pedestals, and feel compelled to help the cause. The Lotophagi will be hesitant of such changes, and for the most part let the crisis be averted by others. Not out of ignorant lethargy, but out of social apathy and a love for a system they don’t understand fully, or truly know. This hesitation is a logical one, the last time the system was changed it led to the Great Decline (regional influence). Zelus and Proteus generations may have a hard time distinguishing the movement behind these changes from the ones that brought forth the initial awakening. In the coming months, systems will be revamped, or scrapped and replaced with something more efficient.

The Theseuses will carve their way into NationStates history with new social institutions and game mechanics that bring about a NationStates revival. There is a relative calmness for a while, the Raleigh generation emerges. Their populace is a homogeneous one, which partakes in only a few different demographics, silent and forgettable. But their existence is welcomed by the Theseuses who had worked hard to see such arrivals and new blood. Ralieghs will find themselves befriended and taught by Lotophagies, who are as lost in this new and brave face of NationStates as the newborns. Their doctrine of stability, knowledge and authority will drive the Ralieghs to enforce strict new social rules in their prevalent years. In the coming months of mid 2010, the young and fresh Alaric generation will materialize. With their arrival marks a new age of imagination which helps to expand on the world forged by the Theseuses and the Ralieghs, but also instigates a huge change to the game’s mechanics. Around 2012, a magnificent alteration to the game will carry a huge price, as Alaricods and Ralieghs argue over its creation, popular institutions will become outdated with the changes. Creativity and populace will decline once again, worse than in the original great decline. Imagine NationStates falling like Rome. The Zhuangzi generation will slowly fill NationStates hollowed halls, echoing generations before it, as they attempt to put the pieces back together like a gigantic puzzle. The Alaricods and the Ralieghs will drop out of attendance with the fruitless attempts of the Zhuangzi to put back together its troubled world. NationStates will die a slow lingering death and will never reach its cyclic heroes, the Croatoan generation scheduled to arrive in early 2016.

One has to remember that NationStates will be very different in 2016. There will be a few distinctive demographics, and many failed projects. New features such as Regional Issues, and a glorious new systems for delegacy will be abroad. Predicting NationStates in six years is about the equivalent of guessing what Earth will look like in 110 years. Also one has to consider the possibility that the Internet will change, in six years, a lot of technological progresses can happen, as well as a possible NS3 sequel (shudder...) that could drain the Croatoan populace's attention from NS1.

I'm glad I was wrong about this one. Cheers. And huzzah!

[Leppikania]

Given how poorly received NS2 was, I shudder to imagine what an NS3 would look like.

[Unibot III]

Given how poorly received NS2 was, I shudder to imagine what an NS3 would look like.

It was crap. A flaming bag of crap. I still remember the day I got my beta key to play NS2. It was awful and a huge disappointment.

As for this theory, who knows, besides the game dying, perhaps the cycle could just continue. (I consider the theory a ball of conjecture and voodoo.) If so, the generation created now and in the coming months would be the generation (teaming up with my generation as allies) that would lead the game out of a decline towards a new social and political order. What would the new order look like? No idea. But there are signs of change. The game is looking for new ideas to propel the SC forward, a new ruleset for the GA is coming, there's no 'military superpowers' anymore, GCRs seem to be going through a process of stabilizing, UCRs seem to have less impact on Gameplay than when I began NS - perhaps we are heading towards a vacuum that will force today's players to step up and steer the game's aging institutions towards something more exciting in a few years (2019).

We could be heading towards a real whirlwind. People who want change don't respect unquestioned sources of authority. Or perhaps my fifteen year old self wasn't the prophet he thought he was (also a distinct possibility.)

[Unibot III]

Anyway, I'm laughing hard at that prediction that failed.

I laughed hard too, TBH.

[Skyviolia]

The essay isn't bad though.

[Leppikania]

So, might I ask which generations the different names refer to?

[Unibot III]

So, might I ask which generations the different names refer to?

Honestly I had to look them up, it's been eight years. The naming is a mix of greek mythology and roman, east asian and british lore. The first cycle of names were from greek mythology. The second cycle were from modernity.

---

Protogonus was the mystic primeval deity of procreation and the generation of new life

Zelus was the son of Pallas and Styx [...]. Zelus personifies dedication, emulation, eager rivalry, envy, jealousy, and zeal.

Proteus is the god of the sea. I think the name is a reference to Proteus's ability to change his form, his mastery of the arts and his association with the changing of the tides.

Lotophagi were lotus-eaters who lived on an island and ate lotuses that lulled them asleep.

Theseus was a founder-hero, like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles (Hercules), all of whom battled and overcame foes that were identified with an archaic religious and social order.

Raleigh is a reference to Sir Walter Raleigh. I'm not entirely sure why I named the generation after Raleigh - perhaps because he was an explorer and a true Elizabethan.

Alaricod is a reference to Alaric - the Goth who sacked Rome.

Zhuangzi is a reference to the author of the Butterfly dream. I believe I was trying to say the generation was sleeping and didn't know it.

Croatoan is a mysterious message carved into a tree in the "Lost Colony" which was founded by Sir Walter Raleigh. Given I had assumed the Croatoans would be the generation that would never come to be, associating them with the Lost Colony was an attempt at symbolism.

[Sheyt Clor]

Given how poorly received NS2 was, I shudder to imagine what an NS3 would look like.

i think he would make a new NS2, he did say in a video he really didnt like NS2 when it was made

[Leppikania]

Given how poorly received NS2 was, I shudder to imagine what an NS3 would look like.

It was crap. A flaming bag of crap. I still remember the day I got my beta key to play NS2. It was awful and a huge disappointment.

You know, now I want to see just how crappy NS2 was.

[CreepyCut]

Well, I suppose one could say the establishment of regional officers is sort of an equivalent to your prediction of "new systems for delegacy" as in more than one person can have power...

[RiderSyl]

Maybe your prediction was, like, only symbolizing the symbolic end of the symbolic world, man.

[Korhal IVV]

Was zur Hölle ist das

What the hell is this

[Evil Lord Sauron]

Which generations refer to which players?

[Luna Amore]

It was crap. A flaming bag of crap. I still remember the day I got my beta key to play NS2. It was awful and a huge disappointment.

You know, now I want to see just how crappy NS2 was.

Archive.org still has some saved bits.

You can see the different world setups with war disabled/enabled: http://web.archive.org/web/200903180004 ... rld/browse
And different issue results: http://web.archive.org/web/200903180254 ... /happening

[Unibot III]

Which generations refer to which players?

Protogonus (Nov 2002 - June 2003)
Zelus (June 2003 - May 9 2004)
Proteus (May 9 2004 - April 6 2006)
Lotophagi (April 6 2006 - April 1 2008)
Theseus (April 1 2008 - May 1 2009) Pre-SC/Post-Jolt/Post-WA
Raleigh (May 1 2009 - Oct 19 2011)*
Alaricod (Oct 19 2011 - Feb 01 2013)*
Zhuangzi (Feb 01 2013 - Mar 16 2014)*
Croatoan (Mar 16 2014 - ...)*

I never had dates past Theseus, so here's some rough dates coinciding with the creation of Balder/Osiris, IPO April Fools, War on Nazis, R/D Summit, WA Discards, New Moderation rules. etc. But I honestly don't like the dates. Really only with more time passing can we truly know what are the highs and crises that'll come to define us. *shrugs*

Apr 06, 2015 could be one end date for the Croatoan birth dates, since that was when NLO began. But usually its best to choose dates where there are multiple things going on in different sectors of the game.

In general, I remember 2011 being very innovative - in the sense that the changes that we take for granted now - (tons of features, cosmetic or not, plus new sinkers) - were created then - new organisations and a pivotal coup in TSP happened. This was time of rapid change.

I remember 2012 being very celebratory and sort, reveling in the new era. This was where the institutions created more recently began to stretch their wings and show wear and tear. The IPO April Fools and the 10th Anniversary later in the year stick out as representative of this time.

And 2013 I saw as institutionally quite destructive/restorative; things were falling apart, revolutions were propelling new regimes into power. Old orders from 2011 and onward were being challenged. This was the breakdown of a number of things, including the KRO and the "Cold War" that was talked a lot about in gameplay politics. The R/D Summit also marked the beginning of a lot of the comity from prior that year - groups staked out claims at that point.

And 2014 really challenged the authority of the game but I think also was a stagnation of the upheaval that had come in 2013.

[Zaolat]

Lotophagi here. Tell me aboot that generation, eh?

[Tim-Opolis]

I'm almost sad that NS wasn't doomed, because at least then perhaps there'd be no regions to house you and your reprehensible actions. The fact that, after your subversion of TSP, your single-handed annihilation of positive vibes defenders had in GCRs, your vitriol aimed at anything that wasn't the UDL, your anything-but-tactful handling of the founding of Balder, as well as other matters which have been deemed not acceptable for this forum, I'm shocked that any regions allow you within their borders, and fully regret the choices of any of those regions such as The South Pacific which place their cronyism towards your ideology over the protection of their community from your subversive ways.

Yeah, I'm a jerk as well for calling you out for being such a jerk across all aspects of the game, but I'm a jerk who wants accountability and encourage regions that I've done such actions against to call me out too.

[Bhang Bhang Duc]

The essay isn't bad though.

Really? I've rarely seen a more self-indulgent, smug piece of writing. And considering what Unibot has come up with over the years, that's saying something.

[RiderSyl]

Let me add to this by saying that I think Unibot's mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries.

[Sedgistan]

I'm almost sad that NS wasn't doomed, because at least then perhaps there'd be no regions to house you and your reprehensible actions. The fact that, after your subversion of TSP, your single-handed annihilation of positive vibes defenders had in GCRs, your vitriol aimed at anything that wasn't the UDL, your anything-but-tactful handling of the founding of Balder, as well as other matters which have been deemed not acceptable for this forum, I'm shocked that any regions allow you within their borders, and fully regret the choices of any of those regions such as The South Pacific which place their cronyism towards your ideology over the protection of their community from your subversive ways.

Yeah, I'm a jerk as well for calling you out for being such a jerk across all aspects of the game, but I'm a jerk who wants accountability and encourage regions that I've done such actions against to call me out too.

*** Warned for flamebaiting, threadjacking, and rules lawyering. *** Not a clever move. Ridersyl, you don't want to be jumping on that bandwagon.

[Cormac Stark]

I'm almost sad that NS wasn't doomed, because at least then perhaps there'd be no regions to house you and your reprehensible actions. The fact that, after your subversion of TSP, your single-handed annihilation of positive vibes defenders had in GCRs, your vitriol aimed at anything that wasn't the UDL, your anything-but-tactful handling of the founding of Balder, as well as other matters which have been deemed not acceptable for this forum, I'm shocked that any regions allow you within their borders, and fully regret the choices of any of those regions such as The South Pacific which place their cronyism towards your ideology over the protection of their community from your subversive ways.

Yeah, I'm a jerk as well for calling you out for being such a jerk across all aspects of the game, but I'm a jerk who wants accountability and encourage regions that I've done such actions against to call me out too.

*** Warned for flamebaiting, threadjacking, and rules lawyering. *** Not a clever move. Ridersyl, you don't want to be jumping on that bandwagon.

This is complete bullshit. You just declined to warn Glen-Rhodes for the exact same thing, and since when is in-character criticism of in-character actions, with only a vague reference to out-of-character off-site behavior, flamebaiting? And can you explain how one can rules lawyer without making a single reference to the rules? Threadjacking, sure, but the inclusion of flamebaiting and above all "rules lawyering" are complete bullshit and reflect the ever-growing list of arbitrary and capricious moderation actions in this forum and toward gameplayers in and beyond this forum. You're literally just making up rules violations out of thin air now to issue warnings while ignoring legitimate rules violations from players you favor.

Warn me for threadjacking if you want. I would start a discussion in Moderation but it would just be locked by another moderator and then you would post past lock to get the last word. Why Max and/or [violet] haven't sacked several of you at this point for your corrupt favoritism toward some, capricious punitive action toward others, and overall corrupt behavior and abuse of power, I will never know, but it is certainly making any on-site gameplay activity pretty unpleasant for those on the receiving end of the latter.

[RiderSyl]

I'm almost sad that NS wasn't doomed, because at least then perhaps there'd be no regions to house you and your reprehensible actions. The fact that, after your subversion of TSP, your single-handed annihilation of positive vibes defenders had in GCRs, your vitriol aimed at anything that wasn't the UDL, your anything-but-tactful handling of the founding of Balder, as well as other matters which have been deemed not acceptable for this forum, I'm shocked that any regions allow you within their borders, and fully regret the choices of any of those regions such as The South Pacific which place their cronyism towards your ideology over the protection of their community from your subversive ways.

Yeah, I'm a jerk as well for calling you out for being such a jerk across all aspects of the game, but I'm a jerk who wants accountability and encourage regions that I've done such actions against to call me out too.

*** Warned for flamebaiting, threadjacking, and rules lawyering. *** Not a clever move. Ridersyl, you don't want to be jumping on that bandwagon.

Seriously? My reply was a fucking joking reference to Monty Python.
Want to hear another joke, Sedgistan?
Moderation, as of late.

[The Type 49 TARDIS]

Let me add to this by saying that I think Unibot's mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries.

I'd like to point out this hilarious Monty Python reference

[RiderSyl]

Let me add to this by saying that I think Unibot's mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries.

I'd like to point out this hilarious Monty Python reference

You're officially more observant than the moderation team.

[Mallorea and Riva]

*** Warned for flamebaiting, threadjacking, and rules lawyering. *** Not a clever move. Ridersyl, you don't want to be jumping on that bandwagon.

This is complete bullshit. You just declined to warn Glen-Rhodes for the exact same thing, and since when is in-character criticism of in-character actions, with only a vague reference to out-of-character off-site behavior, flamebaiting? And can you explain how one can rules lawyer without making a single reference to the rules? Threadjacking, sure, but the inclusion of flamebaiting and above all "rules lawyering" are complete bullshit and reflect the ever-growing list of arbitrary and capricious moderation actions in this forum and toward gameplayers in and beyond this forum. You're literally just making up rules violations out of thin air now to issue warnings while ignoring legitimate rules violations from players you favor.

Warn me for threadjacking if you want. I would start a discussion in Moderation but it would just be locked by another moderator and then you would post past lock to get the last word. Why Max and/or [violet] haven't sacked several of you at this point for your corrupt favoritism toward some, capricious punitive action toward others, and overall corrupt behavior and abuse of power, I will never know, but it is certainly making any on-site gameplay activity pretty unpleasant for those on the receiving end of the latter.

Take a *** 3 Day Ban *** for the threadjack considering your history as of late, and note that if you keep up your recent skid of bad behavior the punishments will continue to escalate.

*** Warned for flamebaiting, threadjacking, and rules lawyering. *** Not a clever move. Ridersyl, you don't want to be jumping on that bandwagon.

Seriously? My reply was a fucking joking reference to Monty Python.
Want to hear another joke, Sedgistan?
Moderation, as of late.

We know it was a reference to Monty Python, it was also a continuation of the threadjack for which I will give you a *** Warning *** as well.

Folks if you have a complaint with moderation, take it to the appropriate channels. Tim took it to Moderation, as he should. This thread is remaining locked since it has devolved into nonsense.