OPINION | WRITTEN BY JOHN LAURENS | EDITED BY JOHN LAURENS
The axis of alignment has always spun on the basis of being raider aligned or defender aligned. Even those who considered themselves independent often found themselves heavily allied with one side over the other.
In recent months, we’ve seen the pendulum shift heavily towards defenders, with the independent sphere fueling the change in the balance of power. This shift has seen the finalization of a great peace that started to emerge among the game created regions (GCRs) starting in 2019. As this peace settles, we must ask ourselves: Who does this benefit? Who profits from this peace? And does it best serve the game as a whole? Let’s answer these questions.
The main beneficiary of this peace is clear. Defenders are more bold than ever, renewing heavily moralist propaganda behind the likes of Consul of the League Quebecshire, a defender firebrand, and Tim-Opolis, an old veteran of defending who recently was commended by the Security Council. The increase in propaganda coincides with a massive influx of fresh and skilled troops as regions like Europeia and The North Pacific bring in massive reserves to fight. These numbers have allowed defenderdom to fight on a much larger scale, launching bigger liberations than ever, and leading to more victories on the chasing scene. There is no doubt that this is the outcome most preferred by defenders, but is it the outcome the game needs?
On the other hand, regions like Osiris and The Brotherhood of Malice find themselves more isolated than ever, bastions of raiding in an increasingly defender world. They do not stand totally alone, however, with regions like The Black Hawks and Lone Wolves United standing behind them. And make no mistake: this group still commands immense power, with raids on regions such as EmbassyRegionia, England, and Japan showing off what they can do. Despite this, it is hard to argue that this is a group that has the ability to maintain momentum and keep pace against forces that are getting stronger by the day. Eventually, they will be backed into a corner. Not vanquished, but certainly relegated to the shadows for a time, as the cycle of the game turns over once again. I ask again, who profits from this cycle?
The answer is no one. The game doesn’t benefit. The people in the game don’t benefit either. The only way we will benefit is when both sides are truly equal, and when divisions run deeper than ever. Some may push back on that, but this game relies on heroes and villains, and politicians willing to get into the thick of it. And unfortunately, villains don’t work when they’re being so consistently beaten. There will need to be a villain again, maybe a new raider force, maybe a politician with a brand new ideology ready to turn the game on its head. The choice will be up to the people who play this game, and the individuals in governments all over with the ability to make change. As we creep towards two thousand and twenty three, I hope there are people who are planning, planning to take the spotlight, planning to turn the game on its head.
NOTE: The Rejected Times does not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Rejected Realms.
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