The Wolfist Manifesto!

Blue Wolf II

A Wolf Most Blue
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TNP Nation
Blue_Wolf_II
One day Evil Wolf of Lone Wolves United got into the vodka cabinet again and got really hammered. By a cruel twist of fate he found a pen and a pad of paper and began to write. The follow is the blight he unleashed upon us all...

The Wolfist Manifesto!
*translated to the best of his abilities by Scardino because Wolf was really, really smashed*

A specter is haunting Nationstates- The specter of Wolfism! All the powers of old Nationstates have tried to hunt down this specter and exorcize it: Pope Hope and ADN, Eurosoviets and RLA, Grub and TITO, FRA, SFBA, and more! All have failed!

Where in the feeders has there not been a party immeaditly branded as Wolfist for standing against the government? Where has not the justification for the overthrow of an otherwise just government been anything but Wolfism?
Two things result from this fact:
1. Wolfism is already acknowledged by all Nationstates powers to be itself a power.
2. It is high time that, in the face of all, Wolfists from across Nationstates publish their goals, views, and tendencies and meet this backwards nursery tale of the specter of Wolfism with a manifesto of thought. To this end, I have taken it upon myself to publish this school of thought for all the world to see and then have it published across Nationstates itself!

I. Raiders and Defenders

The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of struggles. Prime amongst this vortex of clashes are the raiders. The raiders are backbone of Nationstates, it is them who make our world interesting by ever stocking our shelves with conflict. They are the ones who make Nationstates a fun game and without them the world as we know it would be dull. It is the goal, nay, the responsibility of all who play the game to strive to become the best raider they can be!

By contrast are the defenders, who once where the weaker of the two parties now stomp around as if they rule the place. Once defending was a good idea, it kept the game in check by limiting the successes of raiders and making things more interesting for all. But with their rise as a power the world has now reached a dullness never seen before. Partly to blame is the defender domination of the feeders. The feeders once were a place ripe with conflict where delegates changed one a week and governments rose and fell. Now all feeders are concert, there is no change, thanks to defender dominance, and the world has become slightly greyer.

More so to the point, defenders have abused raiders to gain power and status within Nationstates. Raiders are the true heroes of the game and deserve recognition as such and yet defenders, through their conniving ways, prevent this from ever happening!

II. The Raider and the Wolfist

In what relations do Wolfists stand to raiders as a whole?

The Wolfist does not form a separate part opposed to other raiders.

They have no interests separate and apart from those of the raiders as a whole.

They do not set up any sectarian principles of their own, by which to shape or mold the raider movement.


The goals of that of a Wolfist and that of a raider only differ as such
1. Wolfists seek to stomp out all forms of defenders no matter where they take refuge and thus bring about the "dictatorship of the raider".
2. Wolfist believe that all regions should be raider and that to raid a region should be of the greatest honor for that raided region and thus propels them towards the enlightened path.

The immediate aim of the Wolfists is the same as that of all other raider parties: The formation of a raider power, the overthrow of defender supremacy, the conquest of all of Nationstates by raider powers.

The theoretical conclusions of the Wolfists are in no way based on ideas or principles that have been invented, or discovered by the so called "reformers" of Nationstates, defenders.

In this way, we, the Wolfist, hope to make the game less dull and feel that this change is unavoidable and part of the evolution of the game, which is need if it hopes to survive.

The Wolfist disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only through forcible overthrow of all existing game conditions. Lets the ruling defender classes tremble at a Wolfist revolution. The raiders have nothing to lose but their chains, but have a whole game to conquer!

Raiders of All Nationstates, Unite!
 
What does this achieve?

It just says what everyone already knows, no? - that raiders don't like defenders and won't stop raiding, you've just utilised the word "wolf" rather than raider?

I'm confuzzled...
 
okay then...

as a lefty and a defender, I heartily disagree with you :P
 
Appalling grammar. Try to learn basic syntax before you attempt oratory, otherwise you end up with meaningless sentences like:

The goals of that of a Wolfist and that of a raider only differ as such

In addition...

Now all feeders are concert

... did you mean constant?

Or maybe not....

big-band.jpg
 
Wouldn't it be fun if the NPA brain trust worked up a similarly stirring response? Excite the masses and all that.
An example:

Some NPA general or TNP regional leader:
I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Feeder home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of the invaders, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.

At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of the North Pacific Army-every man of them. That is the will of the RA and the region.
The North Pacific and our defender allies, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.

Even though large tracts of Nation States and many old and famous Regions have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Wolves and all the odious apparatus of invader rule, we shall not flag or fail.

We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in invaded regions everywhere, we shall fight on the seas and oceans of founderless regions, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air above those in need, we shall defend our Region, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Region or a large part of it were subjugated and sent to the Rejected Realms, then our allies beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the NPA, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the defenders of the Nation States World, with all its power and might, step forth to the rescue and the liberation of their old friend.

:D
 
Now if only there was a major raider super power out there for your speech to be directed at instead of a scattered force of hopeful rebels.

In fact, that brings up a point, the game needs more raider super powers; it makes the game active and fun. Blackshear just demonstrated this point perfectly with his inspiring reaction. If just the talk of raider super powers is enough to get old players like Blackshear active think of what a real raider power will do for the n00bs?
 
A raider super power would fix the NPA's recruitment and retention woes.

That said, just because invaders aren't a cohesive unit doesn't mean we can't vilify them in fancy speeches. Talk up the enemy so our victories seem more impressive. ;)
 
I think TITO did that and so did ADN and RLA. It only gets you so far and then there is no threat...and then you get what we've got here, inactivity, talk of the game dying, woe and worry.
 
True enough. Problem is, from this outsider's point of view, the personalities most commonly attracted to invading tend to dislike the very organization and discipline necessary to create such a super power. Those that do, tend to be defender spies.

But the NPA still needs an enemy. An army without an enemy is useless. All the prime ministerial commissions and campaign promises in the world won't change that fact.

So, get cracking, BW. I know you've been trying but it's time to work harder. :D
 
Rather, the NPA should probably sort out whatever internal woes it has first.

Earlier today, I read on the RMB a description of LWU's joint operation with DEN(? don't really remember) about the infiltration and invasion of Deutschland. It was a fun read, and it's that type of stuff that gets people excited. I dunno, but I think that some of the more organized invader orgs at least are perceived to be rather competent.

I wasn't around in NS yet at the time of the AA/AAC, so it would be pretty cool to see someone try to set that up again, to be honest.

</random garbage spilling out of my mouth>
 
I wasn't around in NS yet at the time of the AA/AAC, so it would be pretty cool to see someone try to set that up again, to be honest.
Shame the Pacifics aren't as disorderly as back in the day, nor any invader group having the strength or drive to really pull it off. I admit it would perhaps be interesting to see the AA back up and running. Ah well, I guess we just must move on...
 
I believe the chief internal woes (recruitment and retention of soldiers) would be rectified by shining a light on the invaders and highlighting the interesting stuff.

If invaders are doing something, like writing manifestos or publicly infiltrating and invading regions, we should hear about. Our leaders can get indignant and explain why these activities are un-NPian.

The next major step, action, is harder to rectify. It appears RL is keeping our MoD busy (I'm not criticizing. What he does for a living is infinitely more important than anything we do here.). It's difficult to do anything with a power vacuum.
 
A invader/defender war on a massive scale is the only way to reinvigorate the game. Manyb have left, leaving the wide battliefields for the true warriors.

A last hurrah for NS, begin the revolution!
 
What would happen if a delegate "went rogue," booted all those with any influence or decent endos and then stepped out of the region themselves a few days later?

The chaos that ensues would be glorious....

*goes off to read Lovecraft*

Edit: How does one become delegate again? :noangel:
 
What would happen if a delegate "went rogue," booted all those with any influence or decent endos and then stepped out of the region themselves a few days later?

The chaos that ensues would be glorious....

*goes off to read Lovecraft*

Edit: How does one become delegate again? :noangel:
It seems that that happens with decent enough regularity here in TNP and in TWP. :P

Now...how to get all the Pacific dels to do it, though, and all at the same time. And the world shall be destroyed and made anew...
 
The AA was...different. It would take more time here than I have to describe how they were different, and what I think made them succeed.

But hey, Wolfy, try copying and pasting Das Kapital now, and see what you get.
 
A invader/defender war on a massive scale is the only way to reinvigorate the game. Manyb have left, leaving the wide battliefields for the true warriors.

A last hurrah for NS, begin the revolution!
That might be true, if only it wasn't. Game mechanics are different now, and aren't able to foster (or, hell, allow) a region crasher/anti-crasher dynamic.
 
BB:
But hey, Wolfy, try copying and pasting Das Kapital now, and see what you get.

I'm one of the few people this side of hell that has attempted to read some of Das Kapital. I'd rather translate all of Crime and Punishment into Sanskrit than even try that.

Kirby:
That might be true, if only it wasn't. Game mechanics are different now, and aren't able to foster (or, hell, allow) a region crasher/anti-crasher dynamic.

BS, it can happen, it would just take a bit longer and need more people than are current in the raider/defender game. Sounds like a lot but actually if you added just 50 to both sides you could probably pull it off.
 
Heh. If. I can make up numbers too you know. But I'll play along: fifty people does sound like a good number. Go find them. If you do, keep them, for at least a couple weeks. Let me know how that goes.
 
ACC had over 100 members, I think its possible to find 50 people who want to raid and then 50 who want to defend. The trick is having a system which keeps them all active, makes them feel important, and can be one on one with a player. More or less, a kick ass chain of command is needed and not much more.
 
What would happen if a delegate "went rogue," booted all those with any influence or decent endos and then stepped out of the region themselves a few days later?

The chaos that ensues would be glorious....

*goes off to read Lovecraft*

Edit:  How does one become delegate again?  :noangel:
It seems that that happens with decent enough regularity here in TNP and in TWP. :P

Now...how to get all the Pacific dels to do it, though, and all at the same time. And the world shall be destroyed and made anew...
Oh MO ... you wound me!

TWP never did that with regularity. They should have, though.

And after reading Darkesia's post, TAO thinks back to the TAO Maneuver and realizes it would probably work. Becoming the delegate of two feeder regions in 24 hours would really stir things up a bit. Ah yes ... the TAO Maneuver. *dreamy harp music plays as TAO returns to those bygone days*
 
ACC had over 100 members
At a time when the yet-existant Pacifics were some twenty-thousand strong, they controlled most of them, and there had never been such an organization before.

It was an empire, and every region was affected. Now feeders have four thousand underneath entrenched cliques, a greater portion of nations are non-UN puppets, adspam is expected (any two-bit region has its own message board), and one chooses to participate in a side game as either 'raider' or 'defender'.

I think its possible to find 50 people who want to raid and then 50 who want to defend. The trick is having a system which keeps them all active, makes them feel important, and can be one on one with a player. More or less, a kick ass chain of command is needed and not much more.

In my experience a chain of command stifles a group more than aides it. It is effective for a large organization with hundreds or thousands of members, but is not conducive to the type of familiar camaraderie necessary for an efficient internet group.

I think the greater problem is in the mechanics. Invading/Defending is a sideshow, and I mean this not in a positive way as saying 'war is politics by other means', but as something one may simply opt out of. "Why have an army then?" "Uhh, Because!" Defending becomes its own excuse then -I disagree with Blackbird's assessment that defenders are essentially taking up "the white man's burden". I have seen more signs the primary motivation is picking -and winning- and easy fight.

And an easy fight it was. Because they preferred it that way. I call it the GI Joe mentality, because I saw the same thing when I was 10. The good guys all had a head start, they had the numbers, Divine (mod) Favor, and were able to roger every new crasher/invader/raider organization as thick as jam with spies the moment it scratched out a WFE for itself. Inside, they knew everything that was going to happen and could collude to ensure whomever they wanted would rise in rank, and whom they disliked to be sidelined. It was such that an "allied pullout" could collapse an organization. There was also a certain "moral flexibility" about them, which would be utilized at select opportunities. Of course, there was also the "with us or against us" paradigm which ensured, in the hearts and minds of all goodthinking Defender Paladins, that all raiders were stupid, dumb, cheating, lying, amoral vermin, and our side were the Good Guys. I use the term Paladin specifically.

And what if one did take a region? Standard raider orders are not to interact with residents --this was the original, and only, way invasions were fun in the early days. With silence, one region the same as the next -the region was probably dead anyways, as raider numbers and clandestine necessity necessitated the capture of only such dead regions.

You had to move your ducks in at night, at some random time. Only one region per night. No update hopping. No five-second warning precision jumps. No sneak attacks. Blindly leading the blind like dumb pieces of crap floating across a prairie is what it was. And on holding the region? In the past the fun was in griefing (for lack of a better phrase) the residents. They got pissed off, they were stupid, and toying with them was fun. Having their region taken mattered. However, see "dead regions" and "white man's burden" above.

Regional controls made things worse, as a region could be "griefed" (in the newer term) or emptied. This could have had potential to create a great Mongolian Horde vs. Christendom conflict, as the survival of communities were at stake. But no. Those who didn't want to participate in NationStates shouldn't have to, as always.

If you held on to a region too successfully, the only explanation must be that you were cheating, and should therefore be deleted. The last (and largest) battle over United States. I think this is the greatest and most re-occurring problem in this game.

Influence reduces the harm impact even further. Now when a region is taken, it means even less; now no one has to suffer! Let's make it even easier on defenders.


Eventually the Nasicournian Empire collapsed, having proven too successful for its own good at the defending game and having failed to destroy its great nemesis, The Pacific, which had sapped at is power for literal years. BB is right about a minority of defenders, and certainly none today save the odd fossil, those selfless few. However, the Nasicournian Empire -and its successor(?)- is such an organization that it did defend on the "invader/defender game" to exist. But they'd rather play GI Joe. Sometimes it did serve its interests that way, trying to further the -erroneous- belief that the NPO was a great invader plot, and one was either with-us-or-against-us; but when that turned to be false, when the Pacific leadership crafted its image to be more moral than the ADN (see "morally flexible" above) and without the ADN's quibbling, it shattered.

That's a good thing for the game. All empires need to die eventually. And now there are no super powers, and for a while it seemed the pendulum swung in favor of 'raiders'. But, why bother now? No one has to get hurt by the game if they don't want to be, if they complain loud enough they'll get what they want, and if you're too successful you're going to get penalized for cheating.
 
This may be an unpopular view, but I wonder why folks are busting a gut trying to revive Nationstates, when the one person who could do something - Max - does not seem all that interested in doing it. In all the time I have been playing the game there has only really been one major change to gameplay, and that (it could be argued) stifled the game rather than reviving it. Nationstates 2 has become something of a joke - it is obvious it is never going to happen. Essentially, we are playing a 2003 game, which in computing terms, is archaic.

when I started playing NS it was more or less unique on the Net. Now there are a number of games out there which in terms of gameplay have surpassed NS. NS was created as a marketing tool for Jennifer Government, but Max is now three or four books past that - it is obvious that his interest in the game will not be what it once was, since it's purpose has been fulfilled.

Most of the people I know barely play NS any more. Their interest is in the friendships they have built up through the game, and in offsite governments and societies.

I suppose my point is, why should the players spend hours and hours reviving a limited game when the owner and admins do not seem that concerned?
 
You just had to go and say it, didn't you Flem! (Of course, most of us have been thinking it for months.)

TAO agrees the big draw to this game (IMO) is the sense of belonging and community built up over the past <insert your years experience here> years. And TAO also acknowledges your point about Max having wound up the clock and walked away ... but what's wrong with trying to find a way to play that moves us outside the box? Or are we destined forevermore to be stuck in this box?
 
You just had to go and say it, didn't you Flem! (Of course, most of us have been thinking it for months.)

TAO agrees the big draw to this game (IMO) is the sense of belonging and community built up over the past <insert your years experience here> years. And TAO also acknowledges your point about Max having wound up the clock and walked away ... but what's wrong with trying to find a way to play that moves us outside the box? Or are we destined forevermore to be stuck in this box?
Months? You mean years, right TAO?

Whoever runs NS now (it isn't Max), doesn't give a crap about us. If they did, they would have seen the downturn in traffic that began years ago, and done something about it. They didn't.
 
Do we even need the game construct anymore? Couldn't it just be left on it's own for new people to find new ways of playing?

People have invested years of work in the game and it's hard, nigh on impossible, to just let that go. But a forced "re-set" is the only thing I see making the military game revivable. We have to leave it to the others. I'm not sure our egos could take the hit, but I believe it's the only way.

I spoke to someone the other day with 8 bil+ population who was campaigning illegally in the feeders for the current UN res. He/she had no idea it was against the rules because they had completely ignored the feeders from the beginning and had no clue about this side of the game. They are active on the jolt forum and in the UN. That made me realize something rather sad (to me):
NS is alive an well for everyone except us. For those of us who enjoy the political intrigue, military action and government RP, the game is dead.

I'm rather inclined to think it was by design.

I wonder if there is another venue we could just take our gov't forum constructs and move it to another battlefield. CN was like that for a while, but somehow lost my attention. I don't really know why.

meh. This is depressing. Anyone got any chocolate?
 
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