Z-Day (Zombie Apocalypse) and COVID-19

[Trotterdam]

I don't think it has been officially said as part of NS lore that it involves a virus. It could be bacteria, a fungus, etc.

It says it's a virus on the special issue page:

Recent reports suggest the existence of an infectious virus causing its victims to display aggressive, flesh-eating behavior. The virus appears to spread via the exchange of bodily fluids, such as biting.

Incidentally, I couldn't find the link to that issue page on http://www.nationstates.net/nation=trotterdam?zalert=1 (Antiquity theme). Will this be a problem come the actual apocalypse?

Also by my own analysis, the real-life disease most similar to zombieism is rabies, which is indeed a virus, though very a different one from COVID which is actually a relative of SARS.

If a solution is felt needed, making it opt-in seems ideal to me -- that way, people who do not want to be part of a game that involves a disease (whether viral, bacterial or a pathogen) can enjoy the other parts of the site, and those who are looking forward to Z-Day can still enjoy it as in previous years.

Making it opt-in would significantly affect game balance. Currently, inactive nations that don't bother to respond to the threat serve a major role as a breeding ground for the virus, making things harder for other members of the region that are trying to research a cure - and even with that, we're frequently able to pull through. If only nations that are actively trying to do something about it get infected, the game would probably be trivially easy, at least in regions with closed borders. (In regions succeptible to zombie raiders causing trouble, the game was conversely criticized as year as too heavily favoring the zombies.)

[The Free Joy State]

If a solution is felt needed, making it opt-in seems ideal to me -- that way, people who do not want to be part of a game that involves a disease (whether viral, bacterial or a pathogen) can enjoy the other parts of the site, and those who are looking forward to Z-Day can still enjoy it as in previous years.

Making it opt-in would significantly affect game balance. Currently, inactive nations that don't bother to respond to the threat serve a major role as a breeding ground for the virus, making things harder for other members of the region that are trying to research a cure - and even with that, we're frequently able to pull through. If only nations that are actively trying to do something about it get infected, the game would probably be trivially easy, at least in regions with closed borders. (In regions succeptible to zombie raiders causing trouble, the game was conversely criticized as year as too heavily favoring the zombies.)

I do see that would be problematic and give a heavy and early advantage to regions with closed borders (the only way that could be possibly counterbalanced would be if regions with closed borders were weighted differently in the final tally of the overall top scoring regions)

I'm personally not sure whether a change should be made for this year or not (I was only making a suggestion of a way it could work, if it's felt needed). The only idea I am committed to is that, whatever happens, all players (whether they want to play Z-Day or dread this year's Z-Day) should be able to still enjoy the site on that day.

[Trotterdam]

The only idea I am committed to is that, whatever happens, all players (whether they want to play Z-Day or dread this year's Z-Day) should be able to still enjoy the site on that day.

Well, of course, but regardless of what you do, it's always possible for some players to decide that they didn't enjoy it anyway. You can't please all of the people all of the time.

Maybe we can clarify in the news post that the event is temporary and infected/dead population will be restored at the end of the event. However, that's not going to satisfy everyone. People are remarkably bad at reading.

[The Free Joy State]

The only idea I am committed to is that, whatever happens, all players (whether they want to play Z-Day or dread this year's Z-Day) should be able to still enjoy the site on that day.

Well, of course, but regardless of what you do, it's always possible for some players to decide that they didn't enjoy it anyway. You can't please all of the people all of the time.

Maybe we can clarify in the news post that the event is temporary and infected/dead population will be restored at the end of the event. However, that's not going to satisfy everyone. People are remarkably bad at reading.

I seem to remember that being in the news post, but I could be confusing it with the N-Day post.

Maybe the Z-Day stats could be collapsible -- a reverse of what they do after Z-Day, when your normal page can be changed to the Z-Day page so you can get your final stats -- to reveal your normal nation-page if you want to ignore the day.

And, I know Trott and a few of the other posters know this, but just to mention for newer players that I am only suggesting ideas as a normal player. I am an Issues Editor, not an Admin. I cannot make these changes.

[Honeydewistania]

N Day again.

[The New California Republic]

I don't think it has been officially said as part of NS lore that it involves a virus. It could be bacteria, a fungus, etc.

It says it's a virus on the special issue page:

Recent reports suggest the existence of an infectious virus causing its victims to display aggressive, flesh-eating behavior. The virus appears to spread via the exchange of bodily fluids, such as biting.

Yes I remembered there was some uncertain reference to a virus, that's what I remember.

But it doesn't affect the rest of what I've said in the thread regarding continuing Z-Day.

[Merni]

It says it's a virus on the special issue page:

Recent reports suggest the existence of an infectious virus causing its victims to display aggressive, flesh-eating behavior. The virus appears to spread via the exchange of bodily fluids, such as biting.

Yes I remembered there was some uncertain reference to a virus, that's what I remember.

But it doesn't affect the rest of what I've said in the thread regarding continuing Z-Day.

But I don't think anyone really suggests cancelling it altogether.

[Lord Dominator]

Well, of course, but regardless of what you do, it's always possible for some players to decide that they didn't enjoy it anyway. You can't please all of the people all of the time.

Maybe we can clarify in the news post that the event is temporary and infected/dead population will be restored at the end of the event. However, that's not going to satisfy everyone. People are remarkably bad at reading.

I seem to remember that being in the news post, but I could be confusing it with the N-Day post.

Maybe the Z-Day stats could be collapsible -- a reverse of what they do after Z-Day, when your normal page can be changed to the Z-Day page so you can get your final stats -- to reveal your normal nation-page if you want to ignore the day.

And, I know Trott and a few of the other posters know this, but just to mention for newer players that I am only suggesting ideas as a normal player. I am an Issues Editor, not an Admin. I cannot make these changes.

Actually, what could be done I think to balance everything is to have Z-Day visibility be a setting in your personal settings say, where if you have it checked you don't see the stats (if possible), though the stuff being collapsed for everyone would also work.

[Tinhampton]

Future April Fools events will not be announced in advance. So the new SG can be elected for half a year, 4 years, 10 years, or even permanently. Who knows?

Now that I think about it, plus the above "N-Day again" posts... do could we get a third SecGen election with just the one minor round before the main election this time? Or is that still a secret

[Reploid Productions]

Some very good points, and I've fired the signal flare backstage for mod discussion/flagging [v] down for some feedback. I think the idea of swapping the zombies for a second N-Day in particular has some merit, given that Halloween falls on the weekend and unlike N-Day this year doesn't have the issue of running into a major holiday that will prevent players from being able to participate. (Especially with most typical Halloween events IRL having to be cancelled!) Plus swapping the minigames is a lot easier than re-tooling the zombie game on short notice, which means less techie work as well. It would also let us keep the continuity of "Hey, Halloween and we have an event!" while not trotting out highly infectious undead hordes in the midst of a global pandemic that has very directly impacted a great many of our players.

I mean... we could probably retool the undead hordes to be rabid anti-maskers or something, but that strikes me as being in even poorer taste than just the zombies would be.

Additional player feedback would absolutely be welcome on this as well.

[Chingis]

Yes please. A second Nday would be amazing. In fact let's just replace Z day with N day 2 permanently, it's by far the more popular event.

[Praeceps]

I definitely would prefer an N-Day over Z-Day.

[Bobberino]

I definitely would prefer an N-Day over Z-Day.

Pretty much this.

[Jar Wattinree]

I prefer Z-Day.

[The Salaxalans]

I think the idea of swapping the zombies for a second N-Day in particular has some merit

On behalf of Potato Command,

PLEASE GOD NO WE CAN'T DO THIS AGAIN SO SOON THINK OF THE EMOTIONAL TOLL AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

Sincerely,

The Salaxalans

[Noahs Second Country]

N-day was fun but that's 2 of the same event within a month of each other.

Will your casual player really feel as engaged the second time around?

Actually, what could be done I think to balance everything is to have Z-Day visibility be a setting in your personal settings say, where if you have it checked you don't see the stats (if possible), though the stuff being collapsed for everyone would also work.

This seems like the best solution.

[Zukchiva]

I don't mind a second N-Day replacing Z-Day this year due to the pandemic, but in general I also prefer Z-Day over N-Day.

[Flanderlion]

I think we shouldn't let the real world affect our game, but obviously some feel super strongly and associate zombies with Covid. I'd love another event if Z day has to go, but my preference would be to keep Z day the same as the last 5 years. Everything will affect someone somewhere. That said, it's very possible Max is personally affected as he is in the main hotspot for Australasia, so if he feels strongly, another event to take its place would be preferable to nothing. Not the election though as it feels like the terms should be years.

Edit: Changed an of to an if.

[Altmoras]

Either make Z-Day fun again or give us another N-Day, either way the people win.

[Sweeze]

N-Day > Z-Day i would love admin forever for a second n-day this year c:

[Refuge Isle]

N-Day > Z-Day i would love admin forever for a second n-day this year c:

Please god no

[Virgolia]

Please not 2 N-days, I prefer Z-day.

[Xoriet]

I do not want another N-Day over Z-Day. I support the idea of people being able to opt out in their settings at the beginning of the event if the event impacts them because of real life circumstances involving Covid.

[The Seeker of Power]

Z-DAY > N-DAY in my opinion, and honestly was looking forward to it to actually use it as a way to let out steam from the RL Virus...

[Miss Bad Life Choices]

As admin of ba sing se -- please not another N-Day. I'm fine with another Z-day, but if we can't have z-day pull out an old April Fools Event that hasn't been used in a bit instead imo :P