I think this plan, this initiative is quiet dangerous to the enjoyment of Particracy Classic. Not just because the possible anarchy and unrealistic RP what would be its consequences, but it would steal an important collective goal (to achieve better rankings), what is truly can be resulting that a new player won't just writing electoral news after elections in the Forum, but it will actively starting to RP to achieve better rankings, etc. Detailed arguments below.
First, we find that the rankings can stifle roleplay. We believe that the rankings have played a major role in the recent plagiarism issue by encouraging players to write numerous economic and military "rank boost" posts. These players, desiring to increasing the economic and military ranking of the nations in which they play(ed), likely saw plagiarizing real world articles as an easy and efficient way to attain their desired rank. This alone shows that the rankings can be an issue. Furthermore, we believe that the rankings actually discourage creativity. We have noticed that most posts are, indeed, focused on economic and military development. Some of us engage in these types of postings to increase the rankings of our respective nations in which we play. However, we do find it to be monotonous, uninspiring, and repetitive - so much so that it actually discourages us from engaging in more creative roleplay. We believe that roleplay would be far more creative and vibrant with a voluntary ranking system or no ranking system. Not to mention, it can be difficult to roleplay correctly when there are those in authority who are very interested in aspects of military technology and specifications. While we commend them for their passions, not everyone is an expert, nor should they be expected to become one. A voluntary system or elimination of the system altogether would reduce or eliminate this stressor.
About plagiarism: look my entire RP what I've done since I arrived in April. I am - I think - a known figure of rank-boosting community, who RPing to achieve better rankings (the 25 Steps Program was a clear initiative from me to achieve the Strong economy status what I did across it). But I was never, I repeat, I was never reported to plagiarism reports. I think this is enough argument for it.
That is not a solution, that if somebody do plagiarism to achieve better rankings, and because of it we abolish rankings collectively, so also abolish for that people (sorry for self-pompous) who trying to achieve better rankings with creative RP.
I can promise you, if you abolishing rankings, or make it voluntary, new players would RP nuclear wars and etc out the rankings then leave this game after a month, because they had enough, unrealistic fun. Just like when you are angry, break a chair and then go forward like nothing happened. I think I can claim that I am still here because the PT Rankings what I want to achieve since my joining. And many new players in the future I think will want to achieve em. And as u said, LiuChe, that people who want to play unrealistically, already can play unrealistically. Then why problem if they cannot attack with their ghost-nuclear space zombie weapons that people who RPing realistically?
As I said, this letter (if accepted by Mods) will only causing less goals, and less realistic RP in PT. So I ask the Moderation to please, not abolish rankings.
EDIT:
Auditorii wrote:It has become very clear that the community, as mentioned by the above "letter" has lost faith in the rankings. It's something that Vesica and I, then Vesica, James and I and now James and I, have grappled with. The rankings certainly have had an effect on the community, notably the RP community, as presented here. After discussions with James, we're both generally in favor of making the rankings non-compulsory. This would bring a host of issues associated with it however. The top two that I can think of are below. I think that the best way to handle that would be through community feedback and a combination of ideas.
Please, do not act like the entire community would lost its faith in the rankings. 11 RPers lost its faith in it or just want to reform it (based on what Gabi said on Discord), not the entire community, and I hope that many people could agree with me. I know the situation is really became divisive, but there is still a silent majority in PT, and I think before you do anything because this letter, you should held a great and long debate what affects every active RPer. For example in dynamic rankings feedback the majority was in favor of rankings