I want to take a quick post to describe the evolution of the ideas that ultimately prompted me to seek out my colleagues here and develop this thing called Sporder.  This is as much a personal narrative as it is a development one.  It is a tale of gaming, of politics, and of liberty.

I have always had two dual passions that drove my online existence for the past 10 years or so – political engagement and the desire to design a game that simulated life.  I sought for these to work as complements, but at times they have clashed as they moved from clumsy exploration to a more nuanced program.  The central irony is that despite my dedication to designing the optimally balanced game, I am not a big gamer myself – nothing beyond casual games that require a minor investment of time. Continue reading →