Revision as of 13:57, 12 April 2012

Game Concept

Micronations is a live alternate reality game in which players become citizens and rulers of feudal micronations. By joining the game, you become a citizen of a large micronation containing numerous warring states. Gameplay involves politics, resource management, and tactical boffer combat.

The game is organized through a social networking site which tracks character and territory information. Game actions must be recorded on the site. Players gain XP by posting blog entries, photos, and other content from the game. When you log onto the site, you'll see content created by your fellow players.

Players turn real-world hangout spots into game-spaces, called territories. There are several types of territories, ranging from feast hall to combat arena. Players may set up and control multiple territories. Each territory must be visited once per month to remain "active". Players may gain bonuses by performing certain activities in a territory. For example, visiting a feast hall for 15 minutes grants you an extra hit point for the rest of the night. In this way, players will want to visit their friends territories before going out on a module.

Resources can periodically be harvested from active territories. These resources can be used to build (imaginary) facilities in that territory. Facilities, (such as secret labs, ritual altars, and missile silos) either provide a game effect, or provide access to certain skills. For example, a character with access to a cybernetics lab may be able to access cyborg skills.

Territories can be contested and conquered by other players. Each type of territory has its own rules for conquest. A territory in a park may be disputed through a boffer tournament, whereas a territory set in a restaurant may be contested through cards, checkers, or a drinking contest.

Five territories can band together to form a state. States hold periodic elections for Governor. A Governor is afforded game-masterlike powers and can run modules, create NPCs, or create other interactive game experiences for the citizens of his State.

What is a Micronation, anyway?

Wikipedia on micronations:

Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, 
are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized 
by world governments or major international organizations. These nations often exist only
on paper, on the Internet, or in the minds of their creators.

Micronations, such as Lovely or the Aerican Empire are organizations which act as if they are sovereign states, while not being formally recognized by local governments. Some have hundreds of citizens.

The citizens of this game's micronations are governed by a set of laws, which are, effectively, the game's rules.

Narrative

The game's micronation is threatened by several outside forces. These are all fictional constructs, many of which involve fantasy or science fiction tropes.

At the game's outset, enemies of the micronation include

• a renegade AI
• space aliens
• mole people

Marketing materials include Uncle-Sam style "WE NEED YOU" posters, asking people to enlist in the fight against the mole men.

Modules involve competitive scenarios in which players defend their territory from enemy attacks. The website hosts a number of modules.

At the end of a module, players may be able to cast a vote which will impact ongoing plotlines. In this way, the game's narrative is shaped by all participants regardless of location.