Gameplay
Gameplay is playing NationStates by utilizing the actual mechanics and structure of the game, rather than primarily the forum or related forums. There are many aspects to Gameplay that are sometimes overlooked. Some of the more popular are listed below, but please feel free to add your own to this article.
Contents
Nation Play
Many players never go beyond the level of individual nation play. Answering Issues and voting in the UN satisfy their needs for this relatively simple game, and they never realize how many other aspects of interactivity they are missing.
Puppet Nations
Invading / Defending
For Invaders and Defenders, the primary value of a nation is its ability to be used in controlling a region. These players often form groups that meet via offsite forums, IRC, or other means of quick communication. Their goal is to outwit their counterparts through organisation and clever manipulation of the game rules and vulnerabilites.
Flags and Maps
Flag Services
Map Services
Technical Play
Regional Play
Many of the regions were formed for reasons that had nothing to do with NationStates. Some are gathering places for friends or family members who use the game as an excuse to get together. In other cases, visitors from other forums form regions such as Farktopia or the Goontopia Collective. Others are drawn by political or social allegiances like Proletariat Coalition, RLA or Anarchism.
The Civil Headquarters of a region can be a gathering place for friends or a planning board for allies. Others maintain extensive off-site forums for region members only. The possibilites are endless.
Offsite Forums
Some nations, regions, alliances, and other groups create their own offsite forums when the Civil HQ just won't cover the need. Many of these organisations create their own laws, constitutions, and internal organisations in a format that skirts the boundaries between gameplay and roleplay. Still, the primary orientation of these players is on taking over regions and regional powerstructures, not on character-based roleplay or the internal state of their respective nations.
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