Matrix Games

 Vic (VR Designs) is hard at work on completing the upcoming Republica DLC for Shadow Empire, an expansion that places politics at the heart of the experience. This series of articles aims to explore each of the 9 political systems that will be playable with Republica DLC. 

 In our last entry, we examined Aristocracy. This time, we turn our attention to Autocracy.

Before moving on, a quick reminder for those who might have missed our last announcement: if you’d like to dive deeper into what’s coming, save the date and join us at the Home of Wargamers event on September 25th.

The Supreme Leader is hailed and followed by all!

Please note: the following images and ideas are conceptual representations meant to illustrate the narrative and thematic tone of the DLC. In-game footage and new visual assets will be revealed later in development.

Moodboard: Autocracy

"Go! Go! Go!" shouted the Lieutenant, his voice cutting through the chaos as infantry stormed past him, their boots pounding against the broken streets toward the citadel.

The inspecting Commander beside him, a man of sharp features and a sharper mind, wore a broad grin. The city was theirs, and he reveled in the moment. "This was almost too easy, Igorovitz," he said, his tone laced with satisfaction. "It seems the Computer is suffering crashes and the Syndics are losing their will to fight."

The Lieutenant, his focus split between the Commander and the comms traffic buzzing in his earpiece, nodded. "Yes, sir," he replied after a moment, his voice tinged with disbelief at their rapid success, "We caught them completely off guard. The city center, the water mines, the domes—all secure. Only the Citadel and the Governor remain."

The Commander’s grin widened, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "He should have joined us when he had the chance."

"Sir," the lieutenant interrupted, "I’ve just received a request for a Vidcom call from Governor Morklord."

The commander chuckled, a rather humorless sound. He activated his Vidcom handheld, his finger hovering over the screen and he said, "Patch him through, Igorovitz."

The Vidcom crackled to life, and the governor’s voice, strained and crackling, filled the air. "Is that you, Commander Sehlix?"

"Sure is," Commander Sehlix replied, his voice bright with a twisted sort of cheer. "What can I do for you, Governor?"

"You must—" the governor’s voice wavered through the static, "you must immediately stop this… this rebellion!"

Sehlix exchanged a knowing glance with his Lieutenant, a silent acknowledgment of the futility of the governor’s plea. "No rebellion here, Governor," Sehlix replied, his tone almost conversational. "We’re simply restoring power to our president. Your democratic computer-collaborator factions have jeopardized the nation and its army for long enough. We’re offering a chance for survival, nothing more."

The vidcom’s screen flickered, and for a moment, the governor’s face seemed frozen, a statue carved in fear. But it was not, the Governor’s weary eyes still blinked. "This… this betrayal… it’s a complete shock to me!" the governor stammered, desperation leaking into his voice. "Hold your attack! I need time to think, to contact the Computer—"

Sehlix cut him off, his voice cold and final. "You’ve got ten seconds, Governor. Surrender, or I’ll order the artillery to open fire."

The governor’s response was a garbled mess of panicky words and seemingly random shouting, but Sehlix didn’t bother to listen. He began a slow, deliberate countdown, his gaze never leaving the screen.

"Ten… Nine… Eight…" His voice was a death knell, each number a step closer to the inevitable. Commander Sehlix was no longer listening to what the Governor was trying to tell him. 

As Sehlix’s countdown reached zero he turned off the Vidcom with a flick of his wrist, his expression one of detached amusement. "Thought so," he muttered. "Completely out of touch with reality. No one will miss him."

He turned to the lieutenant, who was already waiting, anticipation gleaming in his eyes. "Igorovitz, would you do the honors? Call in fire from the 3rd Heavy Artillery Regiment."

"Yes, sir," the lieutenant replied, a grin of his own forming as he added, "with pleasure."

Artillery crews are awaiting orders to open fire on the Citadel

Designer Notes: Autocracy, from Stability to Tyranny

In the above story we follow the events during a Military Coup against a Syndic Democracy. The problem with many radical political systems as Syndic Democracy is that once the system (the computer in this case) gets entrenched it becomes very hard to change the system.

Except that is by a revolution of some kind. In the case of an entrenched Syndic Democracy the only way out is by a Palace Revolution or a Military Coup. The former might prove difficult once the Computer has removed all disloyal elements stationed in the Cities. The only Leaders the Computer cannot really eliminate well are the military Commanders that are often physically outside of its reach. Finally an advantage to a wasteland, right?

The military however is loyal to the political leadership by nature and will only be tempted to commit a coup if the situation is truly dire and the pressure from outside is clearly leading to a disaster for the nation. 

Once the coup in the story will have been completed the coup Commanders will take charge of the most important Councils, unplug the Computer and declare Autocracy. Virtus will rise due to the relief of being saved from a path to disaster and new hope for a brighter future. 

The Autocracy political system itself is probably the simplest to play. Basically you have wide ranging discretionary powers. If there are any Laws proposed by your politburo they can be vetoed at a minimal PP cost. On top of that it is a system that has lower Virtus decay than all others.

Perfect right? Well… it will take some time but at some point your Commanders will start to emulate the system on a lower scale and they’ll think themselves supreme Leaders in their own little domains. Depending on their personality they’ll become little Tyrants. Which will lead to all sorts of excesses that will terrorize their subjects (soldiers, workers or population). And beware Tyrants might devolve further into Sadists. 

At some point your system will risk to devolve into a Tyranny, no matter how noble the intentions of the Supreme Leader. 

Though it might be possible to avoid this. Probably the best way to try this is keeping everybody on their toes against an external enemy. One of the options to restore Virtus will be to declare a Crusade, reinvigorating Virtus, as the final victory will seem to be in reach