[Very Good Media]

Good evening my fellow Orbisians,

Today marks an exciting time for the media conglomerate known as Very Good Media. The last year was a tough one for our happy little family; we had temporarily closed our doors due to labor shortages and high material costs. However, we are excited to announce several changes and a reopening of our doors. We will now be supporting a full news network and have recently added several top-tier reporters. These reporters include @penpiko, @His Holy Decagon, @MinesomeMC, @Pika,  @hidude45454,@Velyni Vas and @Arln.

We will also be kicking off multiple brand new shows including:
Keegoz Connection -featuring @Keegoz giving his takes on today's current political landscape
Ask Hidude Anything - featuring @hidude45454 answering your deepest darkest questions
The WANA Wing - featuring @Agent W deep diving into PnW history
Decanomics - featuring @His Holy Decagon picking apart alliance's economic situations
Pika's Hot Takes - featuring @Pika giving her highly valued thoughts on things and stuff

Moderator Crew: @HannaH, @CoraMcstrap & @Pika
Editor-In-Chief: @KillzBob

For our radio line-up we will continue supporting the legendary Morf Radio show. In addition to this, a new season of Hotcakes is underway. Our proprietary Whale Tank experience is sure to stir up a bunch of controversy. A special surprise: we will also be debuting the radio show 'Master Debater' - hosted by @zevfer

Join us this Friday and Saturday for our fun filled kick-off weekend. Friday we will be hosting @Thalmor, who will be kicking us off with a special episode of Thalmor Radio on VGM @ 9PM EST.

Can't make it on Friday? Fear not! Saturday we will be having a special episode of Morf Radio featuring the leaders of the power blocs on Orbis. On this episode we will be having a round robin Fantasy Draft of our ideal Blocs. Be sure not to miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience to find out where your alliance lands!

The former beloved director @Vice once said, "Our goal is to provide you endless entertainment and keep you up-to-date on the going-ons of your favorite nation simulator", and we're taking that to heart.

If you are also looking at joining this brand new all-star crew, please send either Morf or myself a message.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Discord Link: Very Good Media

Morf & Kev
Directors of Very Good Media 

[[Surrender] Burning the House Down]

16 hours ago, Kurdanak said:

From one high-horse to another, I respect the grandstand, but you keep deflecting away from the inherent toxicity in imposing this on a sphere as a peace term. And again, it's certainly lighter and more helpful than your original terms of enforced MMR on Fark and a sphere name change that opens HM up to being meme'd on indefinitely (just because it's fun for you, does not mean that it's fun for those taking the brunt of your jokes). I'm glad some folks like hidude are making the best out of the situation, genuinely, but I go back to my issue here in the first place - that in order to obtain peace after having been rolled by the Johnson's (and their handy-dandy mercenary safety net), HM is required to make this server. The foundation is dirty and disrespectful, even if followed up by admirable clean action by the community. I believe that feedback is best received when done so voluntarily - your approach risks alienating several of those you claim to be trying to help out (evidently, considering the backlash from some HM gov). It's understandable to be rubbed the wrong way by having the guys who just rolled you then sit you down to have your internal affairs criticized. Is it really that shocking that several, even outside of Big Bad Rose, are reacting cynically to what you did?

And on that note, regarding your Rose-based rhetoric there, lmfao, guess some of my gov didn't make you happy. Sorry, but I'm speaking for myself here, Kev. Obviously a positive conversation around improvement is possible; I just listed multiple ways in my quoted post, ways to help out an individual/alliance/sphere without some pretentious help term presented as for HM's own good.

Again, good on the individuals making the best out of this. I just think that there are far, far better ways to go about giving advice than this. Ways that, believe it or not, people are using and will continue to do so. May we both have positive results!  

"Toxic" and "toxicity"; You keep using these terms, I don't believe we have the same understanding on what they mean. They could have rejected the term and we could have found another path to go down (as we did with the 'meme' terms). But I'm glad that the conversation went the way where HM and Johnsons could come together on it and I believe the result has been positive, in spite of the attempts of certain people to paint this scenario as something different than what it is. You also keep saying that the "foundation is dirty and disrespectful", whereas the foundation of the terms were rooted in attempting to help HM alliances become more viable in the political arena to help make Orbis more interesting and dynamic. Luckily it looks like the talks are going in a positive manner, as we envisioned.

In regards to your comment about my "Rose-based rhetoric". I was disappointed in some of your gov trying to push so hard that the server was toxic, as it was getting to the point of it seeming like you guys wanted it to be toxic. Claims of people saying it was "impossible" not to be toxic, and you yourself saying that it was a "heavy if" for the talks to be productive. Low and behold, talks are going as I had thought and the supposed "impossible" has become possible. With the experience of Rose, I would think it would have been easy to see the efforts going into the way the terms were being implemented as a positive.

I know in the past the way Rose likes to give advice is through putting these alliances that are learning in their pocket to use at a later time. It will be tough for you to deny this as even your current treaty partners had (have) this belief. Unfortunately, that method hasn't really seen a ton of benefit for alliances that have taken that route with Rose. Not only do we not see these alliances on the political stage, we also see them suffering other consequences. More recently, we have seen alliances lose their entire gov to Rose or alternatively have been thrown out on the street (RIP Mile High). 

This server is not only a great example to show that we can be on opposite sides and speak in a civil manner about perceived opportunities, it also allows people to give advice to these alliances without attaching strings on said advice. Perhaps that's what Rose is so upset about 🤷‍♂️

[[Surrender] Burning the House Down]

21 hours ago, Kurdanak said:

That's a heavy "if" lmao. What's up with the quotations around "terms?" This criticism server was a straight up term for peace, was it not? Would you have accepted simply a surrender, without some extra salt in the wound? 

The issue to me is declaring a war just to fight (which isn't a bad thing), and ending it by imposing terms that frankly come off as demeaning. The term that made it to the end isn't half as bad as the ones from earlier in peace negotiations, at least, though I'm sure those were "jokes," right?

There are ways to communicate constructive criticism that don't involve opening up a peanut gallery in return for peace. DMs, embassies, public channels - taking this route screams disrespect, even if I trust the intention. Attacking an alliance to improve them isn't even a new concept - Mensa rolled the hell out of TFP and gave them tips along the way and after, leading to improvement at the time - the key difference is that it was all voluntary and in no way attached to attaining peace itself (although it did include meme terms, which I did find distasteful then as well). Terms, radio show, a criticism server - making HM jump through all these hoops was as a major !@#$ move, true to the Johnson's name. But hey, that is indeed just my opinion.  

That "heavy if" is looking a lot lighter now. The talks have been very respectful thus far. The quotations is that as far as "terms" go, this is one of the lighter and more helpful ones that have imposed. As mentioned in the VC negotiation, we would have accepted just a surrender the day they came to us for peace had they offered it up. Alas, the conversation was not steered in that direction. At the time it was frustrating, but now that we've arrived to this moment perhaps it was meant to be so that we could have this great conversation with the community as a whole.

It's too bad the people in Rose has such a low opinion of the people of Orbis that they believe a positive conversation around improvement is impossible. I'm happy to see these conversations in the suggestion server prove their theory wrong.

Here's to continuing the work towards communication that veers towards a positive direction and not letting negative attitudes or toxicity get in the way. 🍻

[[Surrender] Burning the House Down]

21 minutes ago, Kurdanak said:

I still think imposing terms in a no-CB shits and giggles war is lame as hell, but congrats on the peace nevertheless.  

If the “terms” that were given end up being a net positive for the parties and PnW as a whole, then I’m not sure what the issue is. But you’re entitled to your opinion.

[[Surrender] Burning the House Down]

Wishing you guys the best going forward. Here’s to a bright future

[[DoE/Merge] Black & Yellow]

I like it

[Monthly Political Power Rankings]

14 hours ago, Sval said:

I'd love to know the methodology in detail.
Because I have no idea why OWR is on there.

Lack of competition. There are really only a handful of alliances that have accumulated political power. For the rest of the alliances: the Power Ranking experts took into account public image, ability and decision-making history (and the impact that said history has) when it comes to the political landscape. For example, one of the questions asked to the Power Ranking committee was "Who would a power bloc accept into their ranks?". According to the experts, OWR would land in the top-25. That may not be saying much when you look at who you're up against, but it's still top-25. 🍻

[End of Merge]

16 hours ago, Firwof Kromwell said:

That's in the past but now he is an helpful advisor in one of the top aa, Serpentis, when was the last time you actually helped even worked in a macro? Oh yeah, That was during NPOLT w/ Golden Phoenix Coalition & The Manhattan Cartel, haven't been able to rise above rank 30 since, closest was Sunray which devolved due to all internal drama of a few folks here, including your own choices that didnt fix it, but made the situation worse almost each time.

Minesome used to have a poor light shown upon him in the past. But he’s done a pretty good job improving his image to the point that macros and political powers are willing to work with him.

Best of luck to this iteration of Sunray.

[[DOE] The Chicken Revolution]

This is good. Consolidate more micros! This is a just cause

[Macro, Micro and everything in between]

 

Based on how good the alliance is ^. Some of the alliances remain to be seen (such as Bourbon and Serpentis). Although I think there should be a tier between E and F labeled "Less Than No Power"

On 3/30/2022 at 5:31 PM, BelgiumFury said:

if someone actually did that and put in time and effort and was minimally biased (which is a challenge on its on in Orbis); it would be absolute fire.

You're welcome.

 

.

[Monthly Political Power Rankings]

7 minutes ago, BigMorf said:

we’re number 1???

No thanks to you

[Monthly Political Power Rankings]

16 minutes ago, hidude45454 said:

TFP not #1 and rest of Johnsons not even in the top 25, who are you and what have you done to Kev?

This top 25 was created by the people in charge. If I had my way, I would give Johnsons all 25 spots 

[Monthly Political Power Rankings]

Monthly Political Power Rankings (MPPR)
(Month 1)

 

1. The Knights Radiant (TKR)
2. Rose (🌹)
3. Cataclysm (Cata)
4. The Syndicate (t$)
5. Grumpy Old Bastards (Grumpy)
6. Eclipse
7. The Hand of Fate (HoF)
8. Guardian
9. The Commonwealth (tCW)
10. The Fighting Pacifists (TFP)
11. The Immortals (TI)
12. Black Knights (BK)
13. Bourbon Street (Bourbon)
14. Oblivion
15. The Fear (typo on the first try)
16. Weebunism (💮)
17. The Legion (SPQR)
18. Serpentis
19. The Wei (TW)
20. Carthago (CTO)
21. House Stark (HS)
22. Order of the White Rose (OWR)
23. United Purple Nations (UPN)
24. Advanced Syndicalist Mechanics (ASM)
25. Name Withheld (?)

 

 

What Ronny wants, Ronny gets.

You have this post to thank for this creation: 

 

Updated every 30th of the month. These rankings are based on the political power of each alliance.

These rankings are determined through scientific means and rigorous tests done by Orbis' top minds. These rankings are indisputable and absolute (until next Wednesday). 

 

[Macro, Micro and everything in between]

On 3/25/2022 at 10:43 AM, Sweeeeet Ronny D said:

I would love to see somebody put together a power rankings instead of a tier list, and every week or two move alliances up and down the list in terms of perceived political power.

 

You ask and you shall receive 

[Ghostbusters (Johnsons/HM) Propaganda Thread]

5 hours ago, Pascal said:

Hope you like my "meme" too.

It’s funny that you’re trying to be cheeky, but give it a few weeks and that screenshot will literally be a meme.

[New Family Business [DoW]]

8 hours ago, JadenStar10 said:

I sympathize with your bloc's confusion. I guess that "solid tiering" and "future rebuilds" is gone. $7.5b of it is gone, to be precise. Poor Kev, he confused his bloc for ours!

Lol if you believe that screenshot. Did you ever ask yourself who gave that screenshot to RON? Or why they gave that screenshot to RON?

[New Family Business [DoW]]

12 minutes ago, Bohemond Hauteville said:

I do congratulate you on this move. Instead of waiting to get hit, you took matters into your own hands and have offensively blitzed another war. Though no real CB, this offensive blitz has given you a great advantage, as we've seen across multiple wars in Orbis. However, even after taking the initiative during this war, it was a bit uncanny to see the stats and numbers afterwards.

It's quite disturbing you've squandered your advantage, perhaps you could elaborate?

Net damage stats don’t mean much if you look at the type of attacks HM are using. By leaning on naval/missle attacks, you are going to have a higher damage output at first but will end up faltering later on if you look at the % of the military you maintain. For example: If you look at the amount of dogfights: TFP (which have a lot of opportunities) alone have more attacks than your entire bloc. As the war meta currently sits, Johnsons are far outperforming HM. In short, unless you make a major change - you have already lost.

 

(Side note: I do want to say that I am happy to see Polaris is out of hibernation and providing activity to the warfront/forums! Happy to have you back Polaris!)

[New Family Business [DoW]]

42 minutes ago, Evlar Ball said:

People who don't take themselves seriously wouldn't list all the unserious things they've done.

There’s a time and a place for everything.

[New Family Business [DoW]]

3 hours ago, Zei-Sakura Alsainn said:

It is, and it's a doing a hell of a number bolstering their comedy routine. 

Mans trying way too hard to be taken seriously while getting help to roll Fark lol.

Cmon, we all know half of them would've never woken up anyway and went back to bed after a quick shot.

You’re trying to accuse someone who got a bloc to rename themselves to The Johnsons while sporting a Joe Exotic avatar who is best known for creating an alliance called Soup Kitchen and doing a radio show intro theme in a falsetto voice, as someone trying to be taken seriously?

 

[New Family Business [DoW]]

21 minutes ago, Kosta said:

Woah woah woah Kev.

When someone is on vacation mode, it means they are on vacation not planning wars, doing FA, and posting all over the forums. We all have a war to fight, you have a nice summer vacation to attend (and/or a war to dodge). 

Passe de bonnes vacances!

Since you seemed to have only skimmed the thread, there ya go buddy.

[New Family Business [DoW]]

9 minutes ago, EViL0nE said:

I'm honored that TFP is scare enough of us mostly-retired barely-awake Farkers that they had to hire mercenaries. It makes me feel so good I might not have to take my evening Metamucil.

Loving the “had to hire mercenaries” line, as I’m sure it’s the crutch your bloc is attempting to establish in case things don’t go your way in this war.

Not that it matters, but we didn’t hire any mercenaries. Have you seen Johnsons tiering? Not a lot of expendable money to hire people - that money would be better spent to build up solid tiering and future war rebuilds (tbf, this is likely not something your bloc is familiar with - so I can sympathize with any confusion you may have)

[New Family Business [DoW]]

9 minutes ago, Altheus said:

Interesting thought, especially from someone sat on vacation mode for the next 115 turns. Not a fan of fighting or only when other people do it?

I had my nation in VM for weeks prior to this being planned out for an extended period of time - unfortunately the game mechanics only allows you to change your VM to 2 weeks if you’re trying to exit early.

 

Probably the wrong person to pick this argument on as I have likely fought more turns of war than your entire sphere combined.

[[RoH] Imperial Decree - Nuclear Family]

I mean…launching nukes has been your lot’s playing style your entire existence. We welcome the radiation.

[New Family Business [DoW]]

21 minutes ago, Altheus said:

just out of curiosity how much did Fear cost?

Absolutely nothing. Clearly they saw the almighty power of The Johnson and are trying to gain favor.
 

This might be a shocker, but it turns out some people in Orbis actually like to do things.

[New Family Business [DoW]]

Johnsons continue to rise. The Johnsons War (Part 1) has begun.

-Kev

Daimyo of TFP, DB and WH & Grandfather of The Johnsons