Introduction

Statecraft is a game that mimics real world diplomacy and conflict, pitting groups of students against each other in the fight for supremacy. Much like Lord of the Flies, students will alliances and factions for military strength and economic stability, and inevitably some countries will find their goals at odds with others.

Call it a simulation if you'd like, but it is a turn-based strategy game just like Civilization, Supremacy 1914, Risk, Total War or other such games out there. If anything, it is more intense because you can meet your allies and enemies face to face. And your diplomatic actions actually count for something (your grade).

The price tag of $30 for a browser game that looks like it was coded for Windows 95 is quite ridiculous, but we can only hope the experience is as rewarding as all of the online testimonials.

The purpose of this guide is to document what methods are most effective for building a successful nation as well as those which undermine international order. Though the circumstances of each game differ, there are always common strategies that will contribute to the end goal: a high score. As I run through eight turns of Statecraft I will update this blog as the story unfolds.

Should a student approach this with a "play to win" attitude because the outcome counts for a grade? Yes. All students must take the simulation seriously and make effort to achieve the highest score possible for their own nation. While this may seem like a selfish motivator, the highest scores can only be reached through extensive international cooperation against the threats of climate change, natural disasters, terrorism and world hunger, to name a few, so self-interest necessitates cooperation. The creator of the game made it crucial for countries to work together in order to score well, so becoming a hermit kingdom and spamming defensive structures isn't going to help.

Also, the highest scores mean no warfare, and certainly no nuclear missiles. It means countries should concentrate on specific roles, whether military or economic and be active members of international organizations. Countries will have to surrender some autonomy in order to achieve the best outcomes for the international community, much like the Eurozone countries have already done. National pride or stubbornness hurts everyone.