No benchmarks Marshal. Just a desire to learn an be active in the game.
In the olden days lol, there were 2 superfeds that basically governed and opposed each other on the game worlds. ?This drove competition and participation in both econ and war aspects of the game. I wouldn't mind joining, assisting, or just cooperating with any active players willing to build a federation of active players that could span the globe.
We can discuss structure, placement of new/newer players into academy federations, and graduation into full members of an active governing federation. Eventually the dynamic of a larger federation will beg a nemesis. I will be the first to tell you, without conflict or threat of conflict there is no logical reason to want to learn to fight. It doesn't mean we will always win but with any encounter comes invaluable experience that makes players that much better.
When I was a newb(noob) I was a horrible player. I ran my mouth and I remember Barney took my first slave. I lost my proverbial s***. Came to find out, my fed leader, LAGUNA set it up so I could learn a lesson 1) to learn how to carry myself in the game and the reality of consequences of my actions 2) So I could actually learn 'something' through the experience.
I took it really hard. It was a whole 13M pop slave... but it was my slave. I was devastated lol. But the experience, drove me to become a notorious war player. I developed effective(sometimes questionable[Ha!] tactics and a huge desire to be 'good' at the war game.
Overall, I think Laguna ultimately got a lesson in being careful about opening Pandora's Box, you never know what you may get. But my point is, the box MUST be opened to see what's inside. In my case the devastation of a loss of my beloved basically c3 slave drove me to participation.
Every players' introduction into this aspect of the game doesn't have to be as emotionally charged as mine. The effort we may put forth could be the thing that creates 10 players of future legendary status. It could create 10 versions of my early game, legendary problems. However, either result would drive the game. That's a win regardless. Participation is where it's at.
In short I just want to build the foundation for whatever planet I am on. To drive a narrative, or create a new one altogether. Players are the lifeblood of the game. Simply clicking and fixing economies isn't going to complete a simcountry experience. Conflicts brings allies and enemies together. Like Yin and Yang, when these forces combine, there is a fullness obtained that is otherwise not possible.
LU <----
Tempest Fugit VS LDI
Golden Rainbow
United Confederation VS Allied Forces
Kebir Blue
The Protectorate VS Nothing = The senior citizen planet. Do we have to guess why?