Is it time to close the forum?

Az · March 15, 2003, 10:33

Dear Apolytoners.

It seems that due to the fact that the number of actual variables and decisions one can make, the population of the forum was reduced to around a dosen and a half, and the content has turned into C-grade lame attempts at spam. And since the forum is practically un-moderated, this unhealthy situation is here to stay.

Let's face it, the game is not fun anymore.

I just login once in two weeks, to keep my supposed 300+ million country from being deleted. But there is no promise. no future.

Therefore, I propose that the forum will be closed.

I also have an alternative option: All of the members of this forum will open a login account in www.simcountry.com. There is much more realistic, with real warfare, economy, etc.

around half a dosen of apolytoners have already established countries there, in the "White Giant" world, with varying degrees of success. We're also united under an "Apolyton Federation", a military treaty.

So, if any of you interested in a REALLY gaming, please open the "Simcountry" thread in the "Other Games" forum, for details, and truly interesting experiences.

Yours truly,
Azazel.

jdd2007 · March 15, 2003, 11:29

tried simcountry, too complicated and timeconsuming.

Archaic · March 15, 2003, 11:41

Perhaps if we're going to do this, we should make a concerted effort to actually locate all these countries close to each other, hmmmm? No use having them spread all over when we want to roleplay with countries nearby.

Malleus · March 15, 2003, 11:57

I agree. We should list off where we are:

My nation, Riis, is in Draca Mixor (upper left continent) of White Giant. It is in the bottom right region, known as "Salman Doda."

The nations around me are either allies or targets.

My students are running the country above me as a class project. A couple of adventurous students have also made their own countries.

M

Archaic · March 15, 2003, 12:45

Alecrast is in the Bavaro Bello region of Draca Mixor. It's rather small, and looks like whoever was last President of it left it in a shambles. I only just started a few hours ago after seeing this thread, so it's early days. I know absolutely no one around me, but seeing as I appear to be on a small island with only one nation adjacent to me, I seem safe enough for now.

Malleus · March 15, 2003, 13:27

The nations of "The Bronze Federation:"

Radsu (run by 13 4-6th graders I teach)
Riis (run by (me) their teacher Steve)
Hanororn (run by one of my students)
Hanororn2 (run by my student's father)
edwards (run by another student)

We are located throughout Draca Mixor continent. We are concentrating our efforts in the region known as Salman Doda.

We are allied in principle with Apolyton. Riis in particular will be happy to assist new Apolytoners who join.

I am a also a freelance reporter for TNN Simnews, a new website devoted to news about Simcountry. If you have any leads, PM me so I can follow them up and get them to press.

M
[President Steve Williams of the nation of Riis, Minister of National Security of the nation of Radsu, Advisor to the president of Radsu.]

Drogue · March 15, 2003, 19:50

I wouldn't want to close this, although it's up to people. Personally, I don't like Simcountry, and wish to keep using NationStates. Azazel, why keep your country going if you don't enjoy it/use it anymore?

Drogue · March 15, 2003, 19:52

Although, seeing that NS is freezing, I think it might be the only answer. Give it a few days, if NS isn't working properly again, then close this forum, otherwise, I'd keep it open.

Sheep · March 16, 2003, 03:04

Seemin as NS is ****ed, and Archaic ****ed my nation RP style up, I'm going to go to this simnation.

Mr. President · March 16, 2003, 03:08

My issues haven't resolved for a couple of days!

I don't think I'm gonna go to SimNation (I ain't givin' my address to no website!). So here's what I propose: If NationStates is down for good, the people who wish to stay on in this forum should make it an NES-type thing. That means lots of role-playing and international-relations type stuff, and conventions to prevent flaming (although it is funny sometimes).

Sheep · March 16, 2003, 03:20

I must say that simnation is much better.

Az · March 16, 2003, 08:44

I'm "The Republic of Azazelia", white Giant. I am willing to take a new country, esp. for you.

Giovanni Wine · March 16, 2003, 09:27

The Kingdom of Wine just born in Draca Mixor, somewhere near Riis I believe

I still don't understand much of it, but it looks very interesting.

Also, I just closed a corporation of 0 $€ value and opened a Wine corporation, and I jumped up from 2300* rank position to 920... does that means it was a good move?

Saluti

Malleus · March 16, 2003, 13:01

This is addressed to Wine, but anyone who has started a new country can use this advice to advantage. This was all passed down to me through IRC conversations and reading the really opaque forums they have over there...

You will be all over the rankings for about a game year when you first start. The computer normally gives you a reasonably good setup with some problems you need to deal with...the main ones are:

1) Education. You won't have enough schools (or too many) and they won't be turning out the right workers. First order of business is to max out your teachers. Set it to 99 in educational priorities. Set your university teachers very high also. Then close down most of your extra elementary schools. Calculate how many teachers this frees up (48 per closed Elementary school), and open an equal number of high schools. The next month after your 99 priority teachers begin coming out of college (it will be like 2000+ per month) start opening that many high schools.

1b) Colleges: These turn out your most important workers: Teachers, University Teachers, Doctors, Senior Doctors, Managers, Executives, High Tech workers and executives. In short, as soon as practical, open up as many universities as you need. Right now Wine has enough University teachers to open three more.

1c) Make sure your education priorities equal 120. I can't stress this enough. It starts out below that number, which means after high school many workers simply enter the work force, which is good if you are short low level workers but bad otherwise.

2) What to ignore: Hospitals, Doctors, Nurses, Senior Doctors. This is for getting your score up when you are stronger.

2b) Roads and rails are a trade off. They can be expensive, but they help your industries. I have chosen to maintain these as best as I can afford. Ignore water treatment until you are ready to up your score. Water treatment is expensive.

3) Corporations that are in big trouble (billions in losses) should be closed. Generally, you want to have a couple services companies (but not too many, they are a huge drain on your skilled workers [as I learned to my own despair]), a construction company, maybe clothes, or a food company. The prices in this "realistic model" are highly variable, but there is one hope: The price will always come back to a high level at some time. Just keeping your corporations alive until they turn a profit can be the key.

3b) Upgrade your corporations in quality every chance you get. The quality determines how much you can charge on the open market. Generally, if the product is in shortage, you can charge the level of quality your product is, minus one hundred, plus 10-13. Thus a quality 130 product can go for 43 % over market if the product is in shortage (and thus in demand). If the product is in surplus, I have begun dropping the prices to 1 % below quality, and finding that it doesn't always sell. This is not a crisis. Building up product and dumping it for profit is a skill that the better players than I are adept at. One player will string along a corporation for over a game year, building up hundreds of thousands of units of product over many months, then dumping it when demand exceeds supply and making a killing.

4) Defense. You are guranteed 36 months of enforced peace. Use this well to get your country in order. Don't buy weapons or offensive and strategic items. They cost you money in maintenance that would be better spent elsewhere. A strong economy will allow you to buy more weapons in the long run and really is the key to real power in this game.

This is a good start for new players. Many of the things I wrote above I wish I knew when I started, as I now have too many hospitals and water treatment plants for my economy, and I began building up an offensive force too early. Thus, we learn.

M

Andemagne · March 16, 2003, 13:23

Quote:

Originally posted by jdd2007
tried simcountry, too complicated and timeconsuming.

haven't tried Simcountry, but it seems too complicated for casual play.

Malleus: where do you teach and what?

Sheep: what Simnation?

Giovanni Wine · March 16, 2003, 13:24

Thank you very much

A shall follow your advices

Saluti

Az · March 16, 2003, 16:35

There are two beautiful countries near my country.

search for "captain gear" on White Giant world. That country is better than mine and I thought about taking it as well, but I am willing to donate it.

There is another country right next to it, which is even better with a great population of more than 10 million ( this is a large country! )

We will be located on a continent of Bella Something

, and the region is rather peaceful. however, after we strengthen our economies, we will be able to invade other countries.

CapitanGarlic · March 17, 2003, 01:25

I just don't get why there can only be one -- NationStates OR Simcountry forums. Why not both?

CapitanGarlic · March 17, 2003, 02:26

Malleus -- Thanks for the advice. I just started a nation in the same region...'Greater Lesor'. It's somewhat of a fixer-upper, that's for sure.

Az · March 17, 2003, 03:40

CG: I have no problem with Nationstates. It was popular because it fullfilled a need.

But it's rather obvious that this supply has ended, and wasn't of very high quality, anyway.

So I came to propose an alternative. not everyone knows about simcountry.com, you know.

Malleus · March 17, 2003, 03:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Andemagne

Malleus: where do you teach and what?

I am the science (and PE and gardening) teacher at Three Tree Montessori of Burien, Washington, near Seattle.

My students are 1-6th (6-12 year old) graders. Next year I will be concentrating on teaching middle school (12-15 year olds).

I am also in charge of our summer school program, which will feature Ancient Rome as our main topic.

M

Malleus · March 17, 2003, 03:53

Quote:

Originally posted by CapitanGarlic
Malleus -- Thanks for the advice. I just started a nation in the same region...'Greater Lesor'. It's somewhat of a fixer-upper, that's for sure.

Wow, you are close to me. I will discuss with my students (who run our federation) if we should invite you. Since we aim to be a strong regional power, it would make sense to invite you to join us, but the nation of Radsu holds the cards in our federation.

M

DarkCloud · March 17, 2003, 22:45

Quote:

turned into C-grade lame attempts at spam. And since the forum is practically un-moderated,

1. you obviously haven't been here for the past 2 weeks- roleplaying activity was on the rise, the site was being constructed and intelligent posts were being made.

2. Ming is moderating this forum. and considering it is a "known" spam-target forum, he's probably watching it closesly

Dis · March 18, 2003, 04:15

hmm I may have to try this simcountry. But I'm so short on time right now. I'm too involved in baldur's gate 2 again

Az · March 18, 2003, 05:20

Quote:

1. you obviously haven't been here for the past 2 weeks- roleplaying activity was on the rise, the site was being constructed and intelligent posts were being made.

Could be. the gameplay is still in the crapper.