This game advertises itself as an empire-building game. Is it surprising that new players want to build empires?
We live in a right-now generation. People expect quick results and the game attracts young players who are used to getting them. As of now, too many new players are lost because they don't see results within the first couple of weeks of playing, and the GMs have tried to adapt the game to give them what they seek. However, those of us who have been playing for a while know that that's not the way to succeed. Patience is the key.
This player was no different. He joined, he wanted to see something happening. He got extra weapons via the new players' bonuses and assumed he could use them to take a second country and start 'building an empire'. We see this time and time again.
At the point at which he asked me for advice, he still expected that. I messaged him a few times and tried to explain the way it works, but game messages are very limited and this game is very complicated. It took a while to convince him. By the time I did, he had already declared on a C3. To his credit, he didn't try to declare war on another player. How many times have we seen n00bs come in, all guns blazing? Good for a laugh, but we know they'll never stick around. This player just wants to build an empire, and who can blame him?
I encouraged him to join our federation forum, where we can talk at more length - although we havne't accepted him as a fed member yet - and he now understands that focussing on his economy has to be the first priority. He has stopped buying weapons - check his country graphs if you don't believe me - and abandoned his aim to take a C3. He now realises he has no chance of achieving it without sorting out his country first.
Josias has absolutely the right attitude. Giving him aid doesn't take money away from anyone else. The cash comes from the magic coffers created by the GMs. It might not work. He may give up because he wants instant gratification. I very rarely propose aid packages but, of the many players who contact me to ask for help, so far this guy knows it is a long-term commitment and is sticking with it. He is the 1 in 10 (100?) that might just carry on with the game. If he doesn't, none of us have lost anything. If he does, SimCountry might just have another long-term player.
So why not vote him the cash?
Hugs and respect
Jo