Fate of the World AAR

[GoodGame]

I just got "Fate of the World" basically a 21st Century global sim not based on conquering the world through supercarriers, but managing it as an international bureaucract.

Al Gore would probably like this game.

Link: http://fateoftheworld.net/buy?utm_s...W-GameLaunch&gclid=CLnpkIj_7qcCFUFN4AodnBqiZg


Ok, I'm playings as "Master GoodGame".

Spoiler :

You have to play the scenarios in order (4 in total currently, though there may be more later). The first one is to help Africa's 21st century development in the face of high population growth, peak oil, and climate change, etc...

Spoiler :

 

[GoodGame]

Basically the game is like Magic:the Managing in that its basically a card game, except your opponent is the problems of the world like poverty, etc... and there's a yin and yang balance to the state of the world. You don't just spam welfare offices and declare game over, because those don't address technology, education, energy needs, or any of the side effects. For instance, drilling for shale oil can end up spilling over into your other lands.

So it's Like Jenga.

Spoiler :

And you're the president of this international bureaucracy:

GEO = The Generalissimo Earthy Organization, or something.
Just pretend you're the UN backed by US Supercarriers and the Gnomes of Zurich and you have a temporary world consensus to do what you want within reason.

 

[GoodGame]

Gameplay: Besides being obviously a card-game, its rounds of looking at news and statistics, and being rated by the regions on your progress (think X-Com). Not sure if your progress effects your funding levels, but that'd be a good mod.

The goal is to optimize a game plan for each world region you're assigned to manage. Since it's a card game, it's all about what cards are in your hand. The rub is that cards cost money, card slots (termed Agents for theme) cost money, and money is in short supply (as is time). So you can't just spam, you have to figure out to make the most of your money to make the most of your card hand. And that means studying stats, and news.

Spoiler :

It turns out the Africa scenarios is just a sandbox tutorial to get a feel for the cards
(e.g. Do I want to curb runaway population growth by:
A. improving the school system,
B. paying people to have 1 child only,
C. pay Blackwater to drop contraceptives into public aqueducts (remembering plausible deniability, of course)?

I won Africa. Hurrah for Master GoodGame's mouse clicking.

Spoiler :

HDI = Hamburgers Deployment Index (as in McDonalds per capita) or maybe Human Development Index.

 

[GoodGame]

Ok to a real scenario and AAR:

The Goal of Fuel Crisis is just to survive to 2120 (100 years which is 20 game turns). Which isn't easy. There'll be angry people mad about extinct walruses, loss of summer polar ice, rising sea levels, climate change, and energy shortages. Not to mention Thermonuclear War and the Four Horsemen!


OPENING STRATEGY:
I've played through this scenario a few times and rarely did well. Even if you do well, a regional nuclear war (e.g. Civ4 BTS scenario for a modern Russian civil war) can break out and supposedly causes the elimination of your Global Bureaucracy (darn Breeder Nuke plants leading to easy access of weapons grade nuke stuff).

The opener is pretty friendly. Everyone is in Entente mode, so there is reasonable support for Master GoodGame's plans. Energy shortages are mild (1-2%) and just beginning to be felt as limiting the economy. However things get out of control within a generation, between climate change and energy shortages. The main problem becomes carbon emissions (according to the game's scientific model) and rising demands of a rising population. Which leads to political unrest....which leads to war. The main way to deal with it is education and security in the developing world, while using the first world as a platform for research and policy.

In terms of the gameplay that means buying up lots of cards in North America and Europe, and a few cards in the most problematic, most populated areas. But I also gots to pay attention to the financial picture.

Spoiler :

Basically, North America, China, and Europe are the top funders of my organization, so I'll be spending on their survival the most. Latin America, India, Japan, and the Middle East will be my secondary concerns. In the rest of the regions I'll just give token support to prevent them falling into nuclear civil war and out of poverty.



Tasks for this turn:
Establish a HQ in North America.
Establish technological research in Europe.
Establish political offices everywhere else.
Attempt to employ Cap and Trade of carbon emissions in the main polluting regions.


And checked the opening news: World pop at 7.3 billion, up 270 million/5 years. The growth seems centered in North and South Africa.
And the opening stats: Mean world temperature up 1 degree Celsius since the start of the Industrial Revolution (up 0.2 degrees in the past decade).
World GDP almost at $92 billion.


Buying Hands (Agents)
To buy cards, I have to buy hands (agents)...and they cost about $50 each or something. I go with:

Spoiler :

Buying Cards
I have $238 to buy cards now. First I read the regional news.

The news in North America: hunkey dorey except for slight energy shortages. I want a HQ up pronto, plus security, since Master GoodGame doesn't like awakening in the GEO penthouse suite to a lynching. I buy a political office (as infrastructure, not actually running for office) so I can purchase goons to resist tea party protesters and angry starving peoples. I also buy the project to make the GEO HQ in NYC. A project costs money every turn and isn't necessarily completed in a turn (kind of like a Civ-style Great Wonder).

The news in Europe: comme ci comme ca, except for slight energy shortages. I buy a tech office so next turn I can start researching biotechnology so I can deploy magic grape juice and spinach that replaces corn ethanol and cures cancer. I also build a political office so I can deploy goons later. No point to build up a research park and let it be destroyed.

China: is pretty happy, excepting again growth is limited by slight energy shortage. Since their economy is runaway, I spend the remainder of my money on a tech office and political office so they can be modern and secure.

The rest of the world is in the same boat. The few places I don't have agents means I don't get intel reports on, just funding for now. Nothing to worry about...YET.

 

[GoodGame]

NEXT TURN A large red dragon settles in the Swiss Alps....kicking out the gnomes and stealing all their gold. The gnomes ask you...a thief for help...... oops wrong story.

5 years later (2030).....my underlings reports some bad news:

Spoiler :

But I didn't do anything (except post on the internet)!

Emissions seems to be under control a little bit, at least in relative change. The grey bars are still pretty big (megatons of CO2 I believe).

Overall GEO Master GoodGame is still loved. The Green hearts are mostly still solid. If a heart is translucent green, then it is a decrease from the past turn.
And I have about $800 to spend this turn. The global GDP is chasing $95 billion now.

Also, "Advanced" Drilling was discovered in Europe and I have my GEO HQ in North America. Geothermal drilling is now possible, and maybe the backside of the oil production peak can be slowed with the new technology.


Regional News:
A quick check shows that energy shortages aren't going away...maybe never. Interesting note: Japan's and North America's tech sector is booming, and China's and Latin America's is starting to grow....I'll invest in them with at least a tech office each to see if that does anything helpful.
In the bad news: El Nino is causing a drought in several areas of the world---I'll need environmental management (environment office) in those areas. There's also random storm damage which can be curbed, but I want to jump start tech research, since peak oil is here. And China has smog, while Europe has some flooding.


This Turn's Strategy:
Now I have to get to work on climate change and the risks of political instability, else the GEO NWO will fall flat.
Curbing carbon emissions is my main issue (big polluters: China, North America, and South Asia), followed getting people off of oil since peak oil has hit. Tech research into biotechnology to get 3rd generation biofuel is my longer term vision, currently. A short term switch to Nuclear would probably help, as long as I avoid breeder plants being distributed to the less politically stable areas.

To do:
I buy a few agents and tell the four of the major polluters to Cap and Trade carbon emissions.
I capitalize on tech booms buy either buying tech offices or funding biotechnology research.
I also buy agents in every region now, placing at least a security office.
I also get ready to play whack-a-mole with a few environmental problem areas (droughts caused El Nino, flooding, or smog).

My Agent distribution is now:

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2030.

Some Good News, Some Bad News:

Spoiler :

So Natural Gas has hit its peak too.
And mean surface temp of the world is 1.3 Celsius up from pre-Industrial times.

Overall, North America has been surpassed as the world's leader in carbon emissions. Unfortunately several countries have now passed it. China is still raging at it.

GEO Master GoodGame is still beloved, though strife in the Middle East is starting break out. And the world GDP is over $100 billion, with everyone behind us still. So we might spend our way out of trouble yet.

Regional New:
Tech research is booming in most of the world, except Africa and the Middle East and SE Asia. General Strikes threaten Japan. Energy shortages are still mild, except in India which approaches double digits due to biomass dependence (which isn't there technologically). The Middle East is becoming politically stables. A few environmental disasters have occured, notably a major fire in Europe.

Strategy for this turn:
Expand Cap and Trade to the worst polluters. Try to get everyone off of oil, and perhaps invest in improved drilling. Swat the unrest in the Middle East, and try to keep feeding the tech booms. Swat at the environmental problems appropriately (water management, drought management, etc..).

To Do:
Turn China, North America, and Europe on to Nuke Power since it already has Cap and Trade.
Cap and Trade Russia and Latin America.
Fund Black Ops and uniformed peacekeepers in the Middle East. Also give them cash handouts by opening a Welfare office there.
Anti-Deforestation measures: paid for Latin America to get interested, and paid South East Asia to stop cutting down the jungle.

And only $24 left over (nearly worthless).....Next turn!

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2035

The main good news is: I'm still loved.

Spoiler :

And Japan invented some nifty Carbon Sequestering technology. And the carbon emissions are starting to look okay, such that only China is really bucking trend in a bad way. SE ASIA could use a carbon spanking and North America could do more, but overall, we might make it without melting the ice caps.


The bad news: the political unrest spread to North Africa and angry peoples have removed an Agent from action.

There are now 8 billion peeps exhaling CO2, who make $106 billion a year net. And that gives me $920 to spend, except all that Carbon Capping is expensive, so i really only have about $500 this turn.

An interesting side note: China's economy is now #1 with a 20% lead over North America. Europe is #2. India tops Japan but is nowhere near touching 3rd place. Latin America is in 4th place. And the Middle East is doing healthy in about 5th place, probably due to oil sales. Shame that the game doesn't break down the economy figures better.



Regional News:
Carbon Trading in China is actually fueling industrial investment through reinvestment. Go figure. Overall, China is looking like a slice of heaven.
North American and Europe are still doing well.
SE ASIA is still not on the anti-deforestation boat.
The Middle East needs much assistance in many ways, as does South Africa.
And miscellaneous problems

This Turn's Strategy:
Handle the Middle East since their economy is in 4th.
Reciprocate against North Africa for the death of my agent by declaring Martial LAWL (YES THE NWO IS A COMIN'!!!!!)
Boost security wherever there is striking and unrest.
Deal with SE ASIA some more (NO TREE LEFT BEHIND!!!).
Blink at South Africa some more.
Boost tech research. Buy "SMART GRIDS" for China so they better utilize energy resources to try to reduce emissions waste.

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2040

I managed to hold onto all of the world. The world GDP is at $114 billion. China is still mad polluting. And almost everyone else is towing the carbon emissions line, such that we are seeing global decreases in CO2. But over 8 billlion peeps are still out there, exhaling.
And Peak Oil did actually reverse due to "UNCONVENTIONAL OIL PRODUCTION". Which is? IDK.

I have $600 of $1000 to spend this turn (the rest is policy/project maintenance).

What to do?

1. South Africa is getting mad at being ignored, and could leave next turn if I don't do something. But they have little cash. Do I care?
2. Get China to drop emissions more? Deforestation is also starting to be a Chinese problem.
3. Whack-a-mole the environmental and political issues?
4. Boost tech spending?

OF course, ALL of the ABOVE.


1. China is ordered to accept Carbon Sequestration technology and protect forests....or face Gnomish SuperCarriers.
2. A two prong tactic on North Africa continues: Black Ops are initiated (Regime Change?) and a branch of the GEO environmental protection agency is opened).

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn:2045

Much Bad news as carbon emissions slightly rose, and/or we have some delayed response climate change:

Spoiler :

And now we have to worry about breeder plants proliferation.

Overall, Europe and China are looking good. Except El Nino is disrupting the Monsoon, causing drought.
Wilfdfire abound though. Especially in Oceania.

The overall strategy this turn is to try to fight the forest fires with drought management, and to change China away from fossil fuels.

And to whack at the world political unrest that is fomenting due to unaddressed social problems (healthcare, etc..) and environmental stresses. Offer them welfare AND a big stick.




EDIT: The game crashed at this point, and I reloaded at 2040. The random events weren't exactly the same this time. But let's pretend...

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2050

Bad news: Peak Oil is back, and Peak Coal followed it.
South Africa is so mad at being ignored that they've kidnapped one of my agents.

Good news: Emissions are down again and 2nd gen biofuels are here.

So obviously, the strat is to convert to biofuels.

And expand the NWO!!!!!!!

Spoiler :

Regime Change and Disinformation by Pre-pubescent pop singers (Go Bieber GO)

And more Martial LAWL

I also reward Japan for discovering 2nd Gen biofuels with more agents and welfare trinkets. Japan is the first to field the new biofuels.

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2055

Bad News: Worldwide oil shortages are a drag on growth about 6%. And Uranium just PEAKED!
Famine and unrest in India and Middle East. And Russia is about to kick out the GEO and go rogue.

Good News: we discovered some crappy sci-fi tech that will pollute even worse. Great.

IDK, sounds like a band-aid that could accidentally amputate.


And the GDP is way up as is peeps: $130 billion and almost 9 billion peeps. And China is finally worth as much as the next two competitors (Europe and North America).


This turn strat
1. Start Spreading the NWO to Russia and South Africa, same medicine that North Africa got (Regime Change works, right?).
2. North Africa gets a cookie. Better drought and water management.

I'd like to ease India's suffering and hook China on 2nd gen biofuels, but I'm out of money.

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2060

More oil news: Oil shortages to 20%. The oil era is really in decline. This is causing the GDP to decline to $125 billion

Climate change: Mean temp up 2 degrees Celsius. But ironically, emissions are very in decline.

And an Extinction!

Spoiler :

And the Middle East and India are still stagnate in unrest and starvation. Time to give them friendly aid.
And China gets 2nd gen biofuels and water management.

Commiting to nuclear is now over-rated, so I'll repeal all those subsidies, too.

Russia gets Bieber-itis Regime Change, and I'm despicable to South Africa (I can't say what I do it).

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2065

Japan and India get fed up and leave the GEO. No more funding from them. I can't figure out why Japan left.

And WIKILEAKS / Anonymous is out there!

I guess no more black ops.


But we discovered better crops (high-yield) finally.
And Regime Change worked eerily well when the peeps were distracted by pop singers.

Oil shows itself less and less, too.

In a snippet: World Pop is down for the first time. It never hit 9 billion, and isn't really really down but is actually passed a maxima. Wordl GDP is still very much down.

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2070

Shocking! The World GDP fell from $120 to $80ish in 5 years.






And the unbelievable: Eurosocialists don't know what "Job" means! But I thought socialist school systems were the best (/joke)

Europe is the next current region that might feel GEO NWO Bieber style! European children will know the meaning of BEE-BER, if nothing else.

 

[ZeletDude]

This is really interesting.... This game seems interesting too, never heard of it before I read this thread though.

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn:2075

Global economic crisis blew over, but GDP is still in recession at $85 billion. First real pop decline to 8.4 billion peeps. And oil continues to be scarce.


Some tech spreads throughout the world (high yield crops, solar cells)

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2080

Continued energy scarcity brought the global economic crisis back (Global GDP is now $68 billion). And now famine has hit almost the entire world also, especially Europe and North America .
And the sea levels rose half a meter. Still if you're died of starvation, you didn't notice. And it's definitely a delayed reaction, since carbon emissions will never be high again.

It is really looking like...The Four Horseman.

Still 8.2 billion peeps are exhaling, but that's not making much of a difference now.


GEO's popularity declines:

 

[GoodGame]

This is really interesting.... This game seems interesting too, never heard of it before I read this thread though.

It is an interesting game, only $10, but a lot depends upon the speed that you play and how much thought you put into it. As a sim, it's really the stats and options that make it fun.

If you play it like a click-fest it seems kind of dumb.

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn: 2085

The global economic crisis technically ended, probably more because the GDP went up due to global faminine. World GDP is still all time low of $65 billion.

Spoiler :

The main concern is that North America could revolt against the GEO, and that the ongoing civil war in India could go nuclear (game over). Not to mention all the famine could spawn new civil wars.

And the delayed climate change---mean temperature is up 2.5 Celsius.

And another Extinction!

Spoiler :

And more questionable technological advances. But at this point, can it get worse?

And we're almost to first gen nanotech, off of "supertensile materials". Someone care to explain that?

Endgame Strat: Survive in North America for a few more turns.

And Cap and Trading of emissions is a total joke now (no emissions) so I trade it in everywhere for needful things.

 

[GoodGame]

Next Turn:2090

Barely, GEO is holding on, but has lost more member nations.

And more extinctions:

Spoiler :

I plot regime change in the home of regime change, North America. I also spread some high yield crops and 2nd gen biofuel around.