Make and run your own country...

January 3, 2003 2:59 AM

NationStates.net allows you to create your own country, decide how it starts out by answering a short questionary, and then it gives you issues to solve (one per day, though you can set it to two per day). How you answer those issues determines how your country fares, the type of country it is, and many other things. You can join the UN and elect a regional representative, create your own region that you and your friends can migrate to (all new nations start out in The Pacific, which is consequentially the largest region in NationStates, but you can move wherever you want).
posted by sailoreagle (51 comments total)

Currently I'm trying to un-fuck my country's economy (even if I have no idea how I messed it up in the first place), and being amused at a friend whose country went from "Anarchy" to "Civil Rights Lovefest" to "Inoffensive Centrist Democracy".

(First post, please don't bite. :p)
posted by sailoreagle at 3:01 AM on January 3, 2003

Looks like fun. Here's mine.

Maybe we can start a MeFi-continent. Lots of discussions! Great democracy! No army! We'll be sitting, eh, geese to any dictators next to us!
posted by NekulturnY at 3:25 AM on January 3, 2003

Oh well, here is mine.

I hope I get my crime under control, otherwise all the damn hippies will keep running around and run into polar bears all the time.
posted by sebas at 3:42 AM on January 3, 2003

The Free Republic Of Monkeyvania will rule over all!
posted by Katemonkey at 4:46 AM on January 3, 2003

Thanks for the link sailoreagle. This looks like fun. Just created my own little nation. The site is very slow at the moment though, took me ages.

Funny things are happening here in preview
posted by ginz at 4:55 AM on January 3, 2003

Great,what happened?
posted by ginz at 4:55 AM on January 3, 2003

Awesome. I've been waiting for micronations to be automated!
posted by Erasmus at 5:04 AM on January 3, 2003

Maybe we can start a MeFi-continent. Lots of discussions! Great democracy! No army! We'll be sitting, eh, geese to any dictators next to us!

MUWHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA !!

Such easy prey those silly idealistic mefiers... Come Pinky, we have things to do.
posted by a3matrix at 5:11 AM on January 3, 2003

My nations started so perfectly I'm afraid to touch it.

The United Socialist States of Ryvar is a tiny, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its complete lack of prisons. Its compassionate, intelligent population of 5 million enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level social equality free of the usual accompanying government corruption.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, liberal, socially-minded government stops and the rest of society begins, but it devotes most of its attentions to Social Welfare, with areas such as Religion & Spirituality and Law & Order receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 67%, and even higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Uranium Mining.

Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown. Ryvar's national animal is the corpse, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the credit.

I'm really not sure how I can make it better, other than moving it to Greenland when the server starts responding again . . .
posted by Ryvar at 5:17 AM on January 3, 2003

The Empire of Chaosium
"Rule through fear, reward with punishment !"



The Empire of Chaosium is a tiny, pleasant nation, notable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, cynical population of 5 million are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic government is effectively ruled by the Department of Law & Order, with areas such as Social Welfare and Religion & Spirituality receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 23%, but much higher for the wealthy. A small private sector is dominated by the Pizza Delivery industry.

Crime -- especially youth-related -- is relatively low, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Chaosium's national animal is the sons of kyuss and its currency is the finger nail.

Soon I will moblize me resources and take over the world!!
posted by a3matrix at 5:21 AM on January 3, 2003

I just moved my country to MetaRegion, where you're all more than welcome to join me!
posted by sebas at 5:23 AM on January 3, 2003

News flash

The Empire of Chaosium has just invaded Metaregion

Soon my sons of kysuss shall roam the plains of Metaregion with impunity !!
posted by a3matrix at 5:38 AM on January 3, 2003

Ha, your puny empire is no match for my Holy Empire! And as soon as I get a reply from the server I will use my mighty army to become Emperor of MetaRegion!

On spellcheck: it's no coincidence that MetaRegion has a suggested spelling of Extortion!
posted by sebas at 5:49 AM on January 3, 2003

The Borderlands of Happy Hunting Grounds
"Do as you like"
UN Category: Civil Rights Lovefest

Civil Rights: Superb
Economy: Strong
Political Freedoms: Superb

Nice start! : )

The Borderlands of Happy Hunting Grounds is a tiny, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its strong anti-business politics. Its hard-working, intelligent population of 5 million hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The medium-sized, corrupt, liberal government is effectively ruled by the Department of Law & Order, with areas such as Religion & Spirituality and Defence receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 18%. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Book Publishing.

Book Publishing eh? An euphemism for porn, most likely.

Crime is a serious problem, probably because of the country's utter lack of prisons.

Law & Order runs the place - and there's no prisons? I'll have to talk to the Minister of Law & Order.

Happy Hunting Grounds's national animal is the cow, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the rock.

Ah yes. The frolicking cows.
posted by cx at 5:53 AM on January 3, 2003

I just started my own nation and this seems like it will be alot of fun.

Does anyone else think that as well as a fun net application this is a brilliant marketing tool for Max Barry's new book.
posted by futureproof at 6:01 AM on January 3, 2003

I've been playing for a week, now. The server issues are really annoying, but I'm sure they'll only get worse now that the word is out here.
posted by acridrabbit at 6:13 AM on January 3, 2003

Site is down at the moment :(
posted by Orange Goblin at 6:13 AM on January 3, 2003

jeebus that server is slow.

"The Commonwealth of Monequin is a tiny, pleasant nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 5 million have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often."
posted by mkelley at 6:17 AM on January 3, 2003

"Frankly, I don't see why we need to have elections at all," says your brother, Violet Trax, over a late-night malt whiskey. "You always seem to know what's best. Why not scrap the whole political system? It would make things so much simpler."

heh.

Hameln

excellent find, btw. one could always hope they upgrade the backend if it's so popular, a la gameneverending (altho I haven't checked in there for a while, so no idea how that's progressing...)
posted by dorian at 6:24 AM on January 3, 2003

The Holy Empire of Nullotopia
"Free, fine and funky"

UN Category: Inoffensive Centrist Democracy
Civil Rights: Excellent Economy: Good Political Freedoms: Excellent

Location: the South Pacific
The Holy Empire of Nullotopia is a tiny, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its complete lack of prisons. Its compassionate, hard-working, intelligent population of 5 million have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The large government devotes most of its attentions to Social Welfare, with areas such as Law & Order and Defence receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 26%. A large private sector is led by the Cheese Exports, Soda Sales, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales industries.

Crime is relatively low. Nullotopia's national animal is the ladybug and its currency is the zero.
posted by zerofoks at 6:30 AM on January 3, 2003

For your information: MetaRegion is now up and running strongly. Don't forget to endorse Chien Andalusia for UN representative!
posted by NekulturnY at 6:35 AM on January 3, 2003

My five million "little playthings" would like to remind you that sharks reside in the forests for my own amusement, not yours.
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:37 AM on January 3, 2003

I find it amusing that MetaRegion has a nation with the motto "Carpe Diem," and another one with "Carpe Noctem"! (Guess which one is mine!)
posted by litlnemo at 6:38 AM on January 3, 2003

How to vote for a UN representative in MetaRegion?
posted by zerofoks at 6:47 AM on January 3, 2003

You first need to be a member of the UN, then you can vote.

Maybe we ought to keep this sort of topics away from here though and discuss them on the MetaRegion forums.
posted by NekulturnY at 6:50 AM on January 3, 2003

The server keeps timing out so I'm having trouble finding out how to do things. How do I move my nation to MetaRegion?
posted by Summer at 7:03 AM on January 3, 2003

It's OK, I've found out.
posted by Summer at 7:06 AM on January 3, 2003

I'll call my nation "Freedonia"!
posted by troutfishing at 7:10 AM on January 3, 2003

Am I the only one who considers it a bit hokey that nations are (as near as I can tell) ranked solely according to income equality?

Does the fact that a janitor makes the same salary as a doctor really make one country better than another? Should income equality really be the primary goal of a nation?
posted by oissubke at 7:15 AM on January 3, 2003

oissubke: nations are ranked according to a different parameter every day. A few days ago it was the biggest cheese exporters, and so on.
posted by sailoreagle at 7:22 AM on January 3, 2003

oissubke: nations are ranked according to a different parameter every day. A few days ago it was the biggest cheese exporters, and so on.</I.

Shows what newbies get for shooting off their mouths. Thanks. :-)
posted by oissubke at 7:28 AM on January 3, 2003

And shows what newbies get for ignoring the obvious italics in the preview. Nuts.
posted by oissubke at 7:29 AM on January 3, 2003

Greetings from the Free Republic of Fleernt, whose citizens would like to inform MeFites that our National Motto is currently for rent.
posted by 40 Watt at 7:32 AM on January 3, 2003

I really do hope they upgrade their server some time soon...
posted by Orange Goblin at 7:37 AM on January 3, 2003

G'day from The Democratic States of Samsara, a nation whose quest to move to MetaRegion is being successfully quashed by the servers inability to respond in a timely manner.
posted by mosch at 7:56 AM on January 3, 2003

We accept PayPal. We are not a proud people.
posted by 40 Watt at 8:50 AM on January 3, 2003

We note that elections for the UN representative for MetaRegion are being held. We prefer chocolate (esp. Kinder Eggs), but any candy will do.
posted by bonehead at 8:56 AM on January 3, 2003

Gawdammit, this server was slow enough already, and now it's being completely mauled. Thanks alot, sailoreagle!

One warning for folks... I'd avoid changing your issues preferences to two per day, even if you're tempted. They're facing a bug where folks aren't getting any new issues or having their population updated... I ran into it shortly after my nation's creation and haven't had an update in nearly a week now. :( It seems to be related to asking for two issues per day.

Outer Freedonia curses you all!
posted by jammer at 9:13 AM on January 3, 2003

I'd avoid changing your issues preferences to two per day

Doh! Let's hope the bug passes the Republic of Chien Andalusia.
posted by NekulturnY at 9:21 AM on January 3, 2003

I've had two issues per day for a while now and everything seems to be working fine... my population is changing and I get new issues.
posted by sailoreagle at 9:28 AM on January 3, 2003

Anyone ever play the game Diplomacy? It would be amazing if we could create our own nations and then play Diplomacy with them...MeFi gone global...with infantries and navies....alliances....
posted by superfem at 9:37 AM on January 3, 2003

"Poneria's national animal is the pony, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests."

yeee haw!

great but super slow link
posted by darkpony at 10:17 AM on January 3, 2003

Diplomacy is based on 7 nations not 25000. NationStates seems like a fairly simple MMPG that reminds me of "door" games from the BBS days like TradeWars but with a more modern theme. I suspect they could get players to send them money even.
posted by stbalbach at 10:50 AM on January 3, 2003

great but super slow link

I can't access the site at all - the CGI script which generates the index page times out, probably because the default instance of the script generates a frameset page which points to a frame with a static banner and a main frame which points to the index page CGI script with some GET passed parameters. Why is this baroque configuration necessary?
posted by rschram at 11:18 AM on January 3, 2003

Hollowsward is proud to enter the family of nations which is MetaRegion.

Nevermind the tanks... those are just military excersizes.
posted by silusGROK at 11:28 AM on January 3, 2003

Wow. It took a while, but the Kingdom of Kongdom is open for business. (all the good names were taken - "Bob", "Dread", "Your Momma" - all unavailable).
posted by yhbc at 11:35 AM on January 3, 2003

The Kingdom of Salmacia looks forward to establishing diplomatic ties with fellow States in the region of MetaRegion.
posted by salmacis at 3:32 PM on January 3, 2003

The Holy Empire of Aquatic Temple of the Ducky Lama is a tiny, socially progressive nation, notable for its absence of drug laws. We invite our fellow MetaRegion friends to visit our lovely beaches, enjoy our coffee houses and our extensive civil freedoms.
posted by dejah420 at 11:21 PM on January 4, 2003

The Holy Empire of Aquatic Temple of the Ducky Lama...

The Holy Empire of wet things went and stole my flag! Oi! Give it back! ;)

The Disputed Territories of Caffeinated Supremacy is looking rather unhappy and unstable. Time to go all North Korean?
posted by twine42 at 1:16 AM on January 5, 2003

Much belatedly, I give you the Free Republic of Hippucondria. I love it already, bless its Liberal Democratic Socialist little heart.
posted by hippugeek at 2:19 AM on January 6, 2003

Be careful of the glib answers you give. The Sultanate of Orangina's unit of currency is the Pound of Flesh, and the national animal is the Human (oh so clever of me, I know). So imagine my confusion (and amusement) when this issue appeared today:

The Issue

In a bid to provide a new revenue stream for Orangina's Beef-Based Agriculture industry, it has been suggested that Humans could be added to the menu.

The Debate

1. "The fact is, the Human population is out of control," says Beef-Based Agriculture spokesperson Sue-Ann Longfellow. "We have to do something about them anyway, so why not market them as tasty snacks? We could have Human kebabs, Human pies, Human-on-a-sticks--the possibilities are endless! Let's not pass up this golden opportunity to provide a feast, if you will, for our economy."

2. "I agree that something needs to be done about Human over-population," says random passer-by Charles Christmas, "but eating them? That's kind of gross. Let's just shoot the ones we have to and shovel their bodies into ditches like normal."

3. "I am shocked and appalled!" declared SPCA President Max Christmas. "If anyone needs to be culled, it's us humans. The Humans were here first, remember? We need to take this as a sign to get our industry--agriculture in particular--to back off. The Human is part of what makes Orangina a great nation!"

What makes it all the more... amusing? is the kind of nation I have - atheist, anarchist, and apparently rabidly capitalist. I've got so many of these damned Humans begging in the streets from the lack of social programs. If I could cull a few of them and feed them to the rest, I'd have a viable industry and eliminate poverty without resorting to any social spending. [insert obligatory leftist diatribe here].
posted by GhostintheMachine at 4:23 AM on January 8, 2003