Lose some of the srsns. srsly.
![Australia](http://www.erepublik.net/images/flags_png/S/Australia.png)
Ranger Bob
![](http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2009/4/22/128849346522094111.jpg)
Hi eAustralia
Yup, I am still around, I just keep mainly to two clicking and the like these days.
Before you read my commentary, for those who don't want the TL
😉R version...
TL
😉R version, brought to you by the letter A and the Number 5:
We need games and fun back in eAustralia (small though at present we are in terms of land). To make money, we need to consider strategically spending it.
Still here?
Ok, time for the longer version.
You know, we had a higher population back when we were only a couple of regions following the return of our lands after the great eIndo-eAus war in 2008. And, yes, there was just as much bitching back then as there was the last few months here - but when it came to the important stuff, we all tended to agree - pretty conclusively.
Although there was still some arguments on how we would get our land back (Diplomacy vs. joining ATLANTIS/PEACE) we all agreed we wanted it back.
Something else we pretty much all agreed on, was we needed to grow our population. However, many eAussies didn't really want to refer their friends to this game, and when they did, many didn't get it and left pretty quickly, wondering what the point was and why their friends were taking an online game that didn't seem to achieve much so seriously.
And, here I think I come to the crux of the problem.
I don't consider any of the eOldies "Elites". Elite is a term that implies people consider themselves better, or more important than the average joe. Well, to quote Eleanor Roosevelt:
"People can ONLY make you feel inferior with your consent."
However, one thing many of the so called Elites, or now old citizens (and yes, that includes many others) is take this game far too seriously. I think that more than anything puts the new player off.
So, what to do?
Well, I would like to remind you of many of the old initiatives that were in place that don't seem to be now. Some private, some public/gov, but all intended to get people active and interested and through this, retain new players. Some still exist thanks to the marvellous efforts of folks such as RonnyJnrJnr and others, but many are worth revisiting.
CASE ONE
![](http://soundadvicesales.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/boot_camp.jpg)
Boot Camp: The concept behind this was invest a little money in supporting newer players, in addition to the current funding for our tanks.
If you help get 5-10 people involved and staying in the game, and these people get up to around 500-1000 damage each (noting younger players can rank up quicker) you can make combined increases in our military strength that approach those of one tank. And, if the tank eventually leaves or quit, as many do eventually (Ben P, Patti = quit, Cozza=leave - to name a couple), then you have people working up to replace them.
Also, and more importantly, supporting the _right_ people early will build an interest and loyalty to our nation. 5-10 people a month doesn't seem to many, but it's at least ONE step in the right direction.
CASE TWO
![](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2340556174_d6ac52dc47.jpg)
E-Pub: The concept was private, and yes i'll admit it was BenP and mine. But, we ran companies where all the profits went back into games and contests. Partly to remind people this was a game and fun, but also to break the rigmarole of the usual two clicking, working, training and (for some) running companies many did. It added I think, an additional bit of fun to the game, was uniquely eAus and did draw a lot of interest. 'Nuff said, but see the link below for an example of one contest:
http://www.erepublik.com/en/article/e-pub-s-the-101-biggest-competition-yet-30g-in-prizes1-834276/1/20
CASE THREE
![](http://rlv.zcache.com/i_love_to_mentor_hat-p148050293091862416uh2y_400.jpg)
#eMentor: Again, a private concept that eventually formed part of government policy, a couple of eOldies had the idea to offer an IRC and in-game based support service for new players, where they offered more intensive one on one mentorship and support. This was slightly harpooned by the fact it was used by a couple of people eventually to filter people into certain political parties, but the idea is sound if you get a good mix of people involved in being mentors, and/or people who are prepared to not push their party affiliation.
CASE FOUR
![](http://carithers.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/heling-hands.jpg)
ausEaid / FoodBank: This was not just about the concept of giving free food. There was a dedicated team of people who messaged new members, and became such a bedrock of gaining new players it even had senators offering to do rosters to assist. Basically every new person joining eAustralia received a message from a real person, offering support, helping them find gainful employment and actually following up with them. The numbers of times people thanked these public charity schemes and credited them with helping them stay was amazing.
CASE FIVE
![](http://pc-museum.com/046-imsai8080/wargames-05.jpg)
Inter-forces War Games: I mentioned this in a comment the other day, but actually having war games between inter-government military (or militia, or a combination of both) where either the forces themselves put in an entry fee (say 10 militia members contributing 1g each for prizes, or the gov contributing the equiv for however many of their forces participate) - games such as who can do the most collective damage in a single battle, who can coordinate the best and post an epic youtube link to some rocking music if they record it and the like - could be a goer.
Now I know some of these are old hash, but mainly they fell apart because people just went as committed to running them anymore. But, I'm pretty sure there are people out there willing to step and help shape our nation and improve our activity.
We need to put the FUN back into our country, and look to gather ourselves as a community. Couple this will increasing our ability to participate meaningfully in battles, and maybe we won't solve all our problems...
but, it's a start.
There you go.
Comments
PERTAMAX DOLO LAH~~
Your right on the mark there Ranger.
While too many people are more interested in themselves or political agendas and forgetting that it is all just a game, eAustralia could struggle to find that happy medium in the community.
Trying for a bit of fun to entice some existing players over to eAus and getting some eBabies involved could be a good structure to build from to help with retaining some active players.
Which as you said, maybe it wont solve all the problems but, it's a start
I have been fighting for things like this for awhile but ronny, i and a couple of others cannot do it alone. We neeed dedicated people bringing the fun back which will keep new players. Also Ranger #auseducation is the new #eMentor 😛
When i ran AussieCare i was doing a lot of work with it, but after sending our a few recruitment articles, getting people to help i only got one response. I asked around as well and everyone as caught up in themselves they failed to realize we have a serious problem.
The main problem is the game sucks.
Also, ranger, rather than write articles like this with grand words and the like, why don't you do something yourself? Actions are more beneficial than words.
VFT
Hi Hinokai, thank you for your reply.
While I am no longer completely 100% active and involved in politics, I am more than happy to help out through lending advice and sharing the many sheets etc I made for competitions.
I'm also happy to set-up and run some contests. Would _you_ like to help, perhaps?
I also need some donations for prizemoney, or, if you have a company spare I can run to start raising some capital that would also assist. Other than that, perhaps people can also glean some ideas from the suggestions in this article so they can also help.
And while the game has many flaws, we're both still here, aren't we?
Just a thought.
Ranger if your serious send me a pm with what you would like in a donation and I.will see what I can do
I don't think your activity should matter, ranger, and especially not your involvement in politics, since this article is essentially saying we should stop being all politics and srs all the time and do other things. If you really want to help out you can do it, whether you're online for an hour every couple days or if you're on for 10.
As for helping, sure, I can't administrate or run anything cause I already do too many things, but I'm sure I can find time to help out if some sorta grunt work is needed.
Money and companies, not my thing. I'm already in debt so I can't help much in that regards. I'm sure someone will be able to help with that.
And yeah, the game has flaws, but that isn't what keeps most people here. 2 reasons, really - the community, and the fact that the more time/effort/money a human invests in something, the harder it is to give it up.
We do all that stuff in #ANP every day of the week bro. The key to this game is: GET INVOLVED. No one is gonna hold your hand. You need to WANT to are the niggest.
lol the irony. ranger bob telling us all to stop being so serious when he was the one being serious all the time a couple of months back.
"OMG STOP FIGHTING BLAH BLAH"
So I was serious telling you to stop fighting and not be serious?
LOL DD. LOL.
: P
You'll have to do far better than that! : P
Gugature. E-Pub was a conglomeration of 7 people who jointly managed companies and invested funds into the business model, came up with contest ideas and helped run them. If you are seriously interested in setting something up, I can donate the time based on many hands making light work.
Infin - I know the ANP does it, I've seen it and the proof is in a way, in the pudding (or, voting power). But, we need to do this across all aspects of eAus, not just the Centre-Right.
Otherwise you guys will have no one to argue with eventually, and DD will get bored 🙁
(and, none of us want THAT!)
"So I was serious telling you to stop fighting and not be serious?
LOL DD. LOL."
Correct.
Ok this is the first time iam going to get involved in this so please allow me some latitude..as i am still "new" to this whole thing.
But i feel the perspective of a newbie can be beneficial.
I dont know what has occurred before..and frankly, i don't particularly care. I come into this whole thing with my own opinions and ready or not here they come..
As a new person to erepublik i have NO clue how to best maximise my experiences here. I only know what i know because i have ranger has a guide and mentor. But i think the idea of the "oldies taking mentorship of some newbies and guiding them through this is a grand plan for the following reasons -
1) it enables relationships to be formed (oh not *those* types of relationships..not that there is anything wrong with that😉), rather connections that can also breed loyalties and friendships thatmay help politically in the future to fight for Aust.
2) It recognises new members who may have the a) abilities and b) desire to spend some serious time being involved either in companies, politics or whatever to develop the interests of the site and ergo the people involved.
3) it takes away from the reputation of "elites" that hold on to the knowledge to keep themselves warm in bed at night, but it means it doesnt get passed on.
Personally i found the site a little daunting and confusing in terms of making my way around, figuring out what my goals were, what the rules were, what i had to do or could do in terms of battles, companies, owning the world etc. And i do want to get involved..as much as i can with the limited spare time i can put forward. So all you OLDIES, show us newbies the light..show us how the best we can contribute, be part of the community..take advantage of our gold or battle stats etc etc.
Ok my raving over..back to your regularly scheduled gossiping😉
- RJ
The centre-right? LOL WTF have RL philosophies got to do with it? The tone of the article now reads as "besides the ANP, other parties don't have zip to do to encourage players - hence why we're so bad".
Much respect Ranger but it's not the ANP's fault that we seriously rock the chicky's socks.
TJ, it wasn't an insult - ANP is doing it and look at how they are faring - WELL. My point is though, other political proclivity begs a wider range of people doing this - elsewise you get ALLL THE GIRLZZZ.
I've been in the Mentorship program in the past and I'm happy to get involved again. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help out (short of donating cash - I'm broke). 😃
All sounds a little too serious too me 😛
I should be able to help out with some funds for some contests Ranger (End of next week) but that's bout all i can offer at this point in time I am afraid sorry m8 !
Ohh am planing a little party next weekend too !
For more info check the MU 😉
I would be more than happy to do some grunt work on some recreational and social activities...
nice article ranger 🙂
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