4Game

In the Southern Edge Diplomacy Discord, I have been discussing an idea to preserve defunct PMF anarchies. This is a draft text that I am seeking feedback and improvements:

"We the undersigned, pledge to protect likely defunct PMF anarchy factions to ensure continued anarchy control or presence for a reliable supply of e-breaches, settlements for suit grind, and notoriety free play:

1. Conquering protocol. Before taking over a system with a likely defunct anarchy PMF, we will try to reach out to the defunct PMF leadership with diplomacy.
2. Cede upon return. If the in-game leadership of the anarchy faction returns to the game, we will cede any conquered systems back to the previous anarchy controller.
3. Prevent Retreat. We will not retreat PMF anarchy factions in systems where we have a presence or control. We will maintain defunct PMF anarchy factions to prevent their retreat where possible.
4. Maintenance. Where possible, the nearest active pledged PMF will maintain defunct anarchy-controlled systems as if it was one of their own. Where there are multiple active PMFs nearby, use diplomacy to allocate systems for maintenance, but after that, play the game as it is intended to be played.
5. Promote anarchy gameplay. Where possible, we will cede or not take defunct PMF anarchy factions system assets to allow Cmdrs a chance to suit grind. In return, Cmdrs should be expected to do a few anarchy PMF missions that do not harm the system controller."

Happy to discuss and come up with acceptable wording by the community. If we get significant support for this idea, like the anti-bot agreement, I would like pledged factions to come up with a joint request to FDev to make it harder to retreat anarchy factions by buffing them in some way when under 5%, such as a longer retreat period or diminishing returns as they get into guerilla warfare with the controlling faction. Something that will bring the retreat to the attention of the controlling faction. I personally like the guerilla warfare idea, because organic gameplay could occur where a player strike force group can search the galaxy map for guerilla warfare systems and defend the anarchy, and those who want the opposite can undermine them, and it doesn't require any buffs or different rules. Additionally, it might deter controlling PMFs from retreating anarchies.

Once we have some form of general agreement, I will ask my faction (Sirius Interim National Council, or SINC) to be a founding pledge.