On a server like CivilizatonExperiment, where the gameplay is centered around players creating their own civilizations, the subreddit is something of a double edged sword. On one hand it serves as an effective way of putting out news and information, and providing a place for discussion. The problem is that the way we currently do these things undermine both the social experiment aspect of the server and perhaps deprive us of fun in the game.

The way the server is intentionally set up provides an element of isolation between civs. In-game, a civ on the north side of the map won't know what a civ on the south side of the map is doing unless directly informed. This is a good thing. It allows different civs to develop in their own ways and overall create a diverse series of communities across the map.

The issue is that the way we currently use the subreddit destroys this isolation entirely. Whenever anything happens, people immediatly post it on the subreddit. News, bounties, and trades are all fairly instantaneous common knowledge. Due to this, rather than having a server made up of many different communities we have a server community living in many different areas.

Examples of this can be seen in the Outer Heaven fiasco where subreddit posts served as a cataclysm for a multi-nation force attacking a small, relatively unknown, uncared about group living on a snowy island in the north. Would those events have turned out different if those players had to both share their issue and raise their force purely in-game? Another example is today's territory dispute between Angstrom and the Federation. What started out as an internal issue for Angstrom ended up being posted on the subreddit and turned into an international affair with other groups even getting involved.

The same issue extends to bounties and trades. While it is extremely useful and efficient to post them for everyone to immediately know, it undermines the game. What kind of trade networks might develop when players have to figure out whats for sale and wanted only in-game? How will our perceptions of pvp and sovereignty change when bounties aren't instant common knowledge?

I believe my point is clear. The way we currently use the subreddit completely alters the way we play on the server and hinders civ gameplay. However, the subreddit it by no means a bad thing and these are some suggestions to use it properly:

1. Do not post trades and bounties to server subreddits. These the main /r/CivilizatonExperiment and others like /r/CivilExchange. Alternatively, try to find ways to spread the word in-game and see what kind of new networks develop. If you absolutely have to post things online, do so on local subreddits. For example, Greyshore trades and bounties would go on Greyshore's subreddit.

2. Do not post about or discuss ongoing events and conflicts. This is the subreddit's biggest issue. By doing so you are absolutely altering their outcomes. Play the game on the server, not the subreddit.

3. Do discuss events and conflicts after they've happened. While the worst thing you can do is talk about them while they're happening, the best you can do is discuss them after they're over. People want to know about these things, and discussing them from a reflective perspective will provide better analysis and understanding than ever possible while they're ongoing.

Remember; play the server, not the subreddit!