Oh, Star Kingdoms.

   Where to begin?
 

   I suppose I should explain it to all you people out there that don't know what Star Kingdoms is.  First and foremost, it's a massive online multiplayer game.  In it, you take command of a fictional 'kingdom' that is in actuality an entire world.  This world is in a 'sector' along with up to 19 other kingdoms.  Each sector resides in a galaxy.  Up to fourty sectors can be in a galaxy.  Usually, so many people join the game that there are often in excess of 25 galaxies.

   Your kingdom must manage diplomacy as well as military in a bid to stay afloat.  If you look like a good target, you'll be attacked.  If you harass the wrong people, you'll be assaulted by them and their 'alliance', or their group of sectors all working together to look out for each other.  However, with the proper mix of military might, strategy, networking, diplomacy, diligence and hard work, you can succed!
 

   Or so you think.  While entertaining, the game is marred by several unsavory aspects.

   Technically, you're only supposed to have one account.  People who have additional accounts are referred to as 'multis', as in 'multiple accounts', and aren't held in very high esteem.  There is a tracking system at Star Kingdoms that makes sure you don't hold multiple accounts.  Unfortunately, this high tech system can be thwarted by merely turning off cookies on your browser.  Expert hacking there.

   Another annoyance in the game are people who don't take it seriously.  I mean, yes, it's only a game, but if you were in charge of a kingdom, would you endanger yourself, your people, and your sector by launching multiple missiles against the biggest, most dangerous targets in the entire game, calling down their wrath upon yourself and your ex-friends?  I think not.  But some people are under the attitude of 'Well, it's only a game.  I can get as much fun out of ruining things for other people, especially since I suck so badly and can't even play well myself, anyway.'

   Speaking of bad attitudes, consider this.  If your kingdom is attacked, you really should try and do something called a 'retal', short for retaliation.  Basically, this is just a counterattack in which you (or an ally of yours called in for the task of doing this attack) gain back lost land, citizens, and money that was lost in the original attack.  However, the process of attacking people has become almost 'ritualized' to the point of it  being ok to make a 'landgrab', or just a single attack (not remembering that it's not just an attack but it's sending troops into your homeworld and killing your people, stealing your money).  It's ridiculous, really.

 
   When you make a successful attack, the amount of land, money, electrical power, and people you gain is based on a percentage of their total.  For example, you get ten percent of their total land for a successful attack.  This is added to your kingdom'as land total and you can use it as you fit, building whatever you wish.  However, how does this land get to your kingdom?  Do your troops tear chunks of the enemy's homeplanet up and put it onto large ships for shipment back?  Do you colonize their planet?  And what about the people you've kidnapped from the enemy?  They are added to your population (having a large population means a stronger military and more money from taxes), but seriously, how effective can people kidnapped from their homeland really be?  Apparently, just as effective as a real citizen.

   To make attacks, you need to a general out (apparently, the troops need leadership).  It's really annoying, because that limits you to making four attacks until your troops return.  I mean, I want real troopers, not incompetents.  And why does sending four generals out make them return faster?  Frank knows what I'm talking about.
 

   Also, you get money every hour.  The formula is based on the number of mines you have and the population (taxes).  Can you imagine being taxed every single hour!?  "Sir Junus, we need that money for our troops' weapons systems.  Are the hourly taxes in yet?"

   You also need powerplants to generate energy.  While I'm not complaining (currently, I have no power), the only drawback to not having any power is a loss of attack and defense power.  No power on an entire planet?  That would annoy me more than a mere military weakening.  What about television?

   Well, that's about all I feel about saying that.  I realize most people won't even understand what I'm talking about unless they're a player.  I just wanted to complain, really.