There are also the limitations imposed by maps, activity requirements and so forth. Limited space often meant that players with an interest in the same nation were excluded, or that people who wanted to play their state a certain way were frustrated. Further, despite attempts to get EE into the larger sphere of galactic interaction, various arguments about tech and general inhibitions meant that this seldom occurred.
Thus, I have conceived a new idea, which addresses these problems and limitations.
Imperium Galactica is not so much an 'earth' as simply an 'RP group' of FT states interested in a sail/steam/diesel/atompunk (yes, those are all real things) theme. The idea of IG is to provide to those nations a starting point, and a community/environment similar to that of the current FT/OOC Arguement Thread and NSLegion. A place to discuss tech, potential threads, plots and what-have-you. It will also be a place to provide ideas for those who wish to start such a nation, and to discuss how such nations might interact ICly with more traditional FT states.
Such advice might include, say, how to create a state similar to 17th century France despite a non-human populace, or how 19th century Arabic culture could be worked into a star-faring nation. The idea would be to help players create a state that matches their vision, within the framework of IG. Other topics might be, say, how to apply a technology in a manner fitting the overall theme of the group. The idea would be not so much "this is how it will work" as "this sounds cool, lets do it that way," reflecting a more freeform ideal than EE had. IG will not have a 'hard' tech selection and I will not be enforcing any strict guidelines.
Interactions between IG states would be governed somewhat by a 'code of conduct' similar to that of EE's, that is, there would be certain rules of engagement between nations, and, of course, OOC arrangements would be encouraged. For example, the idea that it is generally considered impolite to casually annihilate civilian populations will be carried over, along with the prohibition against orbital bombardments (at least against heavily populated worlds.) There may be a sort of 'overall' galactic map, and factbooks will generally be encouraged, but the primary goal of the group will be to create an RP setting and to encourage interactions, threads, plots, and what have you.
I should also note that EE's political restrictions will not be present. If somebody wishes to make a communist state, a republic, or whatever, they are more than welcome to. All states made within the context of IG are entirely their owners creation to do with as they please. IG will merely be an advisory body on the creative side of things. Neither, I should add, will there be a single 'Earth' forming the center of the RP. Players are welcome to put multiple nations on the same planet, but are free also to have their own systems all to themselves.
So, with that, I am officially adding myself as the first member of IG. If you're interested, speak up and be added to the list. At some point I will create an IRC.
An application form, since people seem to like those:
IC Name of Nation - The name by which people will call your nation ICly
Type of Technology - The 'style' of technology you use (steam/sail/atom/dieselpunk/whatever else)
Inspirations/Aspirations - What inspired your state/what do you aspire that your state to become?
Government - Authoritarian dictatorship? Absolute monarchy? Communist rabble?
Personality - What is the 'personality' of your empire? Aggressive expansionist? Commercial entrepreneurs? Industrial giant?
Head of State - Who's at the top of the government pyramid? May be a government body if a single head does not exist.
Primary Species - What sort of subhuman filth composes your homeworld's population?
Initial Population - What is the total population of your empire (including colonial possessions)?
Total Empire Size - How many major systems/planets does your empire include?
My own application (you do not have to spoiler your applications):
The List:
OMGeverynameistaken - The Russian Empire
WIck - Venusian France
Yanitza - The Despotate of Draz’gha
Avenio - The Ambari Dominion
Tristiano - The Empire of England
Telvira - The Federated Stellar Republic of Telvira
ImperialOverLord - Venetian Astrumica Erratican
Azhuru - Empire of Azhuru