by Max Barry

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Confederations of Dictators Interview 04/22/2019

Recently I was interviewed by the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators for their Confederation State Broadcasting publication. Here is the text of said interview.

Mikeswill: Humble but unmatched

AUSTIN: Brad Jensen’s interviews have become something of a frequent and loved occurrence. Confederation Coverage is excited to have commissioned Jensen to embark upon an ambitious program: interviewing some of the biggest names in NationStates. In this issue, CSB brings you the transcript of Jensen’s interview with Mike, leader of Mikeswill, NationStates longest reigning World Assembly Delegate.

(OOC: Mikeswill’s interview was largely conducted out-of-character; this is just how the player behind the nation chooses to play NationStates – an ideal the Confederation heartily supports.)

Brad Jensen: Thank you, Mike, for speaking to CSB and, by extension, the Confederation.

Mike: It’s a pleasure.

BJ: How did you first discover NationStates?

M: I first discovered NationStates in October 2003 when my cousin sent me an e-mail about this political game he had heard about. Given my degree in Political Science he thought I might be interested so I joined. My first flag was that of Albania.

BJ: What was the NationStates region like when you first joined?

M: After I joined, I told another friend about the game and he joined, somehow finding the NationStates which had only around 15 nations at the time. I then created my first puppet, Mikes hope, who flew the Bosnian flag and moved to NationStates. At the time the region had almost died out but was being revitalized.

BJ: Was it your goal to become WA Delegate of NationStates or did it just happen by chance?

M: As Mikes hope, I started recruiting every nation that I saw, often breaking the rules at the time due to my ignorance. I took the WFE and made up a short message which I still use to this day. Back then every message was individually sent so I scrolled through the Pacifics for new nations. As nations joined I posted a welcoming message on the Regional Message Board. Soon, these new nations began endorsing me and within my first month Mikes hope became what was then called UN Delegate.

BJ: Did you ever expect back then that you would still be the region’s Delegate over fourteen years later?

M: Considering that Mikes hope got deleted by moderation the following September, no. Apparently, I had a disagreement with another player and my pursuit of said disagreement over a few regions and using two additional puppets was considered bad taste. Mikes hope and the two puppets were deleted as punishment. This led to a void in the region and two factions emerged. Over the next ten days, I solidified power as Mikeswill and a faction of players moved over to our sister region, NationStates 2 and Free States of Gaia.

BJ: How would you describe the government style of the region?

M: There is no government. In all these years, attempts to create a government have faltered. Part of the problem is that if a player cannot ascend to the top position in a region there is little motivation to work hard in a government when a plethora of alternative regions exist. It is very important to note that NationStates was created before founders were given credit; therefore, we have no founder. Moreover, as the namesake region of the game, I have felt a responsibility to keep the region from the near destruction it experienced just prior to my joining. In order to accomplish this it is imperative that the WA Delegate be exceptionally strong in order to thwart invasions which, in the early days, were ever prevalent. This one fact has driven my gameplay these fifteen years.

BJ: What makes your region unique, in terms of its operation or its beliefs?

M: We are unique in that we are simply chill. No silly role play, prattle, government, or alliance with other regions. Each Nation in the region is free to behave and act as it wishes so long as they do not interfere with other nations’ freedoms. We have posts on Tao, Jeopardy, Nation of the Day, occasional brownies, and sometimes songs.

BJ: What issues you have you encountered during your long delegacy? Have you had incidents involving raiders, or political insurrection on the home front?

M: We have had a few invasions early on, the last of which led me to add an endorsement limit. There was a time when the top invader regions claimed that the region was off-limits given my anti-Security Council stand. I’m not sure how true that position is today.

BJ: Can you talk about that anti-Security Council stand, what this means, for you, your people, and the WA?

M: My stand against the Security Council is due to the arbitrary power of the Security Council (often a popularity voting body) to curtail the password ability of the delegate via a liberation resolution. It is my contention that no outside body has the right to usurp a game created mechanism which in my case as the delegate of a founderless region is my last defense against an invasion. I get it. A region gets invaded and the new delegate is all powerful. But where was the vigilance by the “natives” before the invasion? Founders cease to exist all the time; either strengthen the delegacy or refound the region. But NationStates does not have that luxury. We do not have a founder to resurrect at the last minute to save ourselves. Further, the whole concept of the Security Council came from the defender faction who continually sought to change the rules of gameplay. Every time defenders change the rules, invaders adapted and so more mechanisms were invented. Not all were bad (i.e. influence), but still one-sided. And since I vocalized this disparity, raiders began to like me and defenders not so much.

BJ: Have you ever considered stepping down? If so, did you have a succession plan for the delegacy?

M: When NewTexas was a day behind me regarding the delegate streak, no. But Texas got invaded for one day and his streak was broken a few years ago. I am pretty sure that whatever happens in this game my streak will be the longest ever. But it is hard to let go when enveloped by the notoriety of being the longest standing delegate in the game. NationStates is kind of like my baby and I want to ensure that it continues. And yet it is very possible that my mere existence is limiting the potential of the region. The problem is that as a personality driven region without a government succession is non-existent.

BJ: That’s interesting. On population, the region saw some peaks in 2016. What were these caused by, and have there been any other population highs over your time as delegate?

M: With the exception of the year my mother died, our population numbers have been very consistent with the population cycles of the game. Prior to automated recruiting, our percentage was greater because I worked harder than anyone else in recruiting. Since then the percentages have tanked given the plethora of recruitment messages a new nation receives. On that note, I only target new nations as I want to be considerate on other regions borders. The exception is when another region recruits from NationStates and crosses into my border. Typically the populations of regions spike in the fall and spring, when school is in session.

BJ: What are some of your favorite memories in all your years of playing NationStates?

M: Nothing can top my first year in the game. It was a time when I needed an outlet and the first players who grouped together to makeNationStates an enjoyable region were awesome. We had players spanning the globe and two of them from Canada and the UK actually married for a while. Some of us even shared pictures of our real lives to each other. The split in regions changed some of that and then players moved on.

BJ: What do you feel are some of the most notable differences between NS now and when you first started playing it?

M: The forums weren’t as sophisticated or a big deal back in 2003-2004. But other than that, I think the game has evolved rather nicely. I am far more detached than I ever was. With the trading cards, I have joined a Discord and have seen the camaraderie amongst gameplayers equal to my first year experience. Mostly, I’m just an old player whose influence might have been important once but whose presence is slowly fading into obscurity.

BJ: A respected player, certainly. I think we’re nearing the end, Mike. Would you like to share hobbies or interests you enjoy when you aren’t playing NationStates?

M: I am foremost a teacher. My primary hobby is that I am a Competitive Amateur Dancer who has actually won a World Championship or two or three.

BJ: Wow – seriously?

M: True story.

BJ: Incredible. The Confederation’s honoured to speak with someone so successful. What are your opinions on the Confederation?

M: As a leader of a neutral region I am ambiguous as to your Confederation, meaning that as long as it does not interfere with the nations inNationStates, I respect your position and wish you well.

BJ: Then you don’t think there will be repercussions for you directly related to this interview?

M: No.

BJ: Thank you, Mike, on behalf of CSB and the Confederation.

M: Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my opinions in your publication. I am humbled and grateful for the endeavor.

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