Socialism and other doctrines in games

[Cyberdragon 20]

Yes, every sandbox game in this world has political ideas incorporated into its' gameplay. For example, we'll start with Wurm. First, let us define socialism a bit: it's a sort of democracy, only that you're not allowed to benefit from personal gain. In other words, if you find the Master Ring, you don't keep it for yourself. You share it with your friends! Sorry, Sauron, you're missing out on this one.

I asked a lot of kids from my school about socialism. They'd answer back with stuff like communism and they'd blabber about dictatorships, executions and political prisons (general ignorant comments on the matter). Do not confuse socialism with communism, the latter is a radicalized doctrine of the former.

Anyways, in a factions server on Minecraft, our group was made of little children, me being the only teen in the faction. I suggested we practice socialism. Bad idea, they ended up labeling me a fascist and they ganged on me. RIP diamond armor (but what can you expect from a bunch of dumb 9 year-olds?).

Back to the idea, this very game practices socialism. People band together in communities (AKA deeds) and work together for the greater good. Did you find a gold ore? Too bad, you're gonna share it with the rest of your villagers. Mayor elections? Sure, they'll happen. Guard duty (Epic cluster only)? Sure, why not take up arms and serve your deed with an MMO-ish patriotism? Anyways, you can't really have a capitalist democracy in your village (capitalism, as Marx characterized it, is defined as a democracy with fierce market competition, only that Marx hates capitalism. Read his books, he's got very solid points, and the only things you'll fight for money in this game are the mobs). 

 

But then, of course, you also have those dark, shady players that will take you under your wing, wait until you get a lot of valuable stuff, and then they'll force you to work off your debt or they'll kick you out into the wild. Happened to a cousin of mine a few years ago, he was in a village on the Epic cluster. They gave him the most soul-destroying task in the entire game: brick making. 500 bricks a day, they said. Of course, that was impossible to accomplish, so he eventually got booted.

 

 

PS: For those that are still skeptical about socialism in Wurm, check out the community farms that each village has. During the time of the USSR, there were common farms (Kolhoz, I believe it is written).

[Lunn 235]

your a dirty commie

[Tryfaen 709]

More like this game has a lot of freedom(and I don't mean the icky pve kind)

[permo 1,263]

Im with you 100% comrade! JKE practises socialism and planned economy, join us!

 

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ0h5Xywfm8

Edited May 10, 2015 by permo

[IloveWurm 90]

Im with you 100% comrade! JKE practises socialism and planned economy, join us!

 

does socialism have a hierarchy of leadership and a distribution of goods?

I wonder if Alexgopen would consider JKE socialist?

[Greyfox 427]

Um kid. You need spend some more time studying politics. Wurm and the real world are not as simple as Left and Right.

[Malokai 74]

Wow. Just wow. In a game where your success depends on 100% of how much effort and skill you put into it, and 0% requiring (REQUIRING) the support or contribution from a village /group / collective*... What a bunch of tripe.

Edit: In PvP... yes.. you require the support of the group or you're dead. Not getting that support? Move. Still not getting it? Maybe it's you, and not the group.

Edited May 10, 2015 by Malokai

[FreeTineen 430]

This topic be silly, civ 4 proves communism is the way to go, city spam people, city spam.

[Ayes 3,715]

You have missed the heart of the socialist concept within Wurm, that being the ways that the god (Rolf) of Wurm redistributes portions of the game income to the player base regardless of their contributions into it. No doubt being from a European country where these types of socialist concepts are endorsed has had a significant influence upon adopting this practice.

 

Other than this Village collectives within the PvE servers only have a slight socialistic influence, since when those who participate within it get some indication that what they put into it is not returned equitably, they soon depart to greener climes.

 

Even this can be avoided by establishing ones own Village independent of others, then being a "Village" in name only with no occupants other than oneself and some occasional alts. This is what most do I would venture, with some fewer offering a place for others to reside with no expectations in return other than decent relations.

 

Beyond the major socialistic giveaways by the god of Wurm and these minor Village entanglements where some use others for their purposes, the game offers much more in the way of the profits from capitalistic under-the-table earnings for those who take advantage of and pursue these opportunities.

 

The wary then tread through these minefields of distraction to find their own ways of weaving their presence into this amalgamation of seemingly opposing traditions, which in the end hold no sway over their independent pursuits. 

 

=Ayes=

[Nachtmahr 96]

They gave him the most soul-destroying task in the entire game: brick making.

 

I would like to know why you consider brick making the most soul-destroying task in the entire game oO'

What about slate slabs ;__;

[FreeTineen 430]

mortar