Let’s talk about Pet Rock Role-players in NationStates, because honestly, they’re driving me crazy. You know the type: they jump into roleplay maps, claim a piece of land, and then just... sit there. No action. No lore. No interaction. They just hold onto their map space like it’s some precious rock, while doing absolutely nothing to contribute to the world around them.
It’s beyond frustrating. You’ve got a whole community building a dynamic, evolving world, and then there’s this one person, clinging to their plot of land with no intention of adding anything to the story. No history, no culture, no relationships - nothing. They just sit there, silently, as the rest of the world around them grows and flourishes.
And don’t even think about trying to engage with them. If you dare to approach, they act like you’ve invaded their country or threatened their sovereignty. They get defensive, annoyed, like you’ve committed some great crime just by trying to make the world feel alive. It’s ridiculous.
The excuses are even worse. “Oh, I’m still working on my lore.” Really? How long are you going to wait? Meanwhile, everyone else is out here creating and building actual stories. If you’re not going to use that space, give it up. There are people who would actually do something with it - build plots, create drama, add to the world.
The whole point of NationStates roleplay maps is collaboration. Pet Rock Role-players, though? They’re only interested in the status of holding land, not in actually participating or helping create something meaningful. They just sit there, doing nothing, then get mad when others try to interact.
Look, if you want to take it slow, that’s fine. But don’t claim a spot and do absolutely nothing with it. This isn’t a game where you just sit on your hands and expect the world to revolve around you. Post a news story, develop your dispatches, engage with your neighbours - contribute something. If you’re not contributing, you’re just taking up space that could be used for creativity and interaction.
It’s simple: If you’re not engaging, get out of the way for people who are. Otherwise, you’re just a Pet Rock - static, lifeless, and completely uninterested in being part of the world around you. Honestly, the community would be better off if the Pet Rocks fad ended.
