Oh, and rotate the GM.

We are currently in step 1.

If no one else is, I'm willing to GM. I don't think anyone really gets what exactly the GM does though, and I've got the feeling that's because no one figured that bit out yet.

I'm a webhost/webdesigner, so I could host a site for it too, depending on which route is taken. That might be comfortable with all information readily accessible and what more.

I'm not sure I'll do all of that for free since there's costs for hosting and my time is even more valuable to me, but I'll consider.
For instance, if people are willing to throw in a buck or two occasionally to fund it that helps, and if I may consider this a test case and use all the ideas as I see fit, perhaps figuring out a way to make money off it, that helps too..

Even without that, I'll consider. I just like it when my projects have some prospect of having an actual use/benefit. Makes me more committed, and you'd want a committed GM.

Perhaps more importantly though, things don't seem quite concrete enough right now. I can't think of a way to realistically simulate stuff without some serious help/ideas/concepts from you guys.

If I indeed end up being the GM, I will want the final say on things in general, but I'll need help with figuring out how to do this almost every step of the way (save, maybe, the website if that happens). When the game/simulation mechanics are figured out, I can probably do it all by myself, but until then, help me :-)

Sorry steephie, but we can do this for free, so we aren't going to pay you.

"I'm not sure I'll do all of that for free since there's costs for hosting and my time is even more valuable to me, but I'll consider."

Always the business man.

Personally, some issues I would like to see:

Economy (obviously)
Energy
Environment
Military
Civil Rights
Foreign Relations
Terrorism?
Poverty

Anyone else have anything?

This could be Diplomacy-ish as well. All players start citizens in the same country with the same power, perhaps some income level, then the politics come in and people need to somehow come to a majority agreement on how to form the government, then elect and whatever.. with the goal being to get the largest income/most assets/whatever or at least surviving, or something along those lines..

Not sure that's the route you'd want to take though? I think it would be realistic to expect people to vote for their own interests and it would add competition to what would otherwise risk losing interest..

Maybe add some rebellion/revolution options, if there's no support from others(/external nations!) you're screwed, otherwise you may overthrow the government and become the new leader or someone in a very powerful position.. If you survive of course.

Endless possibilities..

If people are willing to settle for a smaller simulation (a small island with limited connection to the outside world) I am happy to GM. It could be very freeform, with people mostly talking amongst themselves trying to get things done. I could give a large write up for every game year that passes so people can see what was accomplished. Perhaps not as elaborate as people were hoping, but maybe it will get increasingly involved as we progress.

If people think that would be fun, let me know and I'll generate an island for y'all to live on.

Terrorism is military, KC.

And, of course, I'd be available to answer questions about your environment and process small actions in between each game year.

I think it would be easiest to use the terra-project site. It includes a vast majority of the above issues, where as nationstates is significantly lacking any foreign policy, military, or international economy.

Well, domestic troubles then, eh?

Abge, I think that would be great! Does anyone have any objections to an island nation GMed by Abge?

I should clarify/correct myself/whatever that I care little about a few bucks from you guys (there's easier ways to earn more money for me anyway), although I am looking for a way to turn this into a project that could actually be useful, since I know myself and I will probably lose interest otherwise.

So.. @bo_sox: That's fine.
@abgemacht: Yup (although again, not so much interested in direct payment in this case since that would be just a couple of bucks anyway). I would like to mention that above all, I'm always looking for ways to make a difference for others, with my money if needed, so it's not personal greed. It's always looking for ways to get the most means to help others in need with. Keep that in mind when judging what kind of businessman I am :-)
On a related note, did I mention I thought of a new product, and plan to make prototypes when I'm done with my test period? Won't tell what it is, for now, but if you like surprises, you can pre-order already for €29,95 :-P

So back on-topic..

So, if people are interested, we can do one of two things:

1) Survival game in which you guys are trapped on an island and need to survive by building a civilization.

2) A nation building game in which you guys influence NPCs through your policies to make a island nation.

I'm happy with either or neither if you guys want to take a different approach.

I would prefer option 2

I can probably host it on my personal domain (yup, that's for free! :P) if you guys hate having to look all over the forum/thread trying to find the newest update..
But it seems I'm the only one that cares about that for now?

I'm confident abge will be better able to create an island nation since I lack the inspiration to start something like this from scrap on my own.
I might prove more useful expanding an existing nation if we want larger scale at some point.

I'm aware I went ahead of myself earlier and I apologise :-)

We know you mean well steepie : )

I like abge's option 2 although I would still gladly participate in option 1

@ abge: I know, but you're right in implying that I do that more often and, even from a business perspective, that's not always a good thing. I should be more willing to do things without ensuring myself a benefit. It doesn't seem to do much good, ever, in the initial stage of projects. It sure seems to spook people.

Anyway, I should probably stop making this thread about me as well..

but... but steephie.... I like hearing about you... you... you are going to make me cry.... please tell me more about you, thats what we are here for.... *redirects attention to community* come on guys, lets listen to steephie. *everyone looks at steephie* so? tell us about your childhood.

I prefer 3) a political deathmatch possibly combined with 2, but it seems OP is really looking more for a simulation without particular objectives rather than a game, with a way of winning. So if we're going with a simulation, I think 2. One might work if we want to start with a shorter test case, while working out mechanics.

The difference between 1 and 2 is depth and scale. In 1 you'll be worried about things like starving, dying, building shelter. In 2 you'll be worried about famine, uprisings, pollution.

Then 2 for a simulation, 1 for a game with a winner IMO.

If you want to add in features slowly, another consideration is to start with one and slowly but steadily grow the amount of features as the nation grows as well.

Yeah, either way I suspect we'll start off slowly and add things as we play.

When do you think we can begin Abge?

Do you want to hear from anyone else before I create option 2?

Eh, true enough.

Everyone good with abge and the island?

Right now there's not much of an other option than the island, is there? Since abge (understandably) won't do some huge nation?

If so, then I'm good with that and I'm in.

The island will be large enough to keep your interest. I just can't handle intricate foreign relations.