the dramatic war triangle: conflict as a social experience

The web is a social place full of easy ways to meet new people, communicate, and share. Every online social tool is just one click away. The only thing missing is some authentic reasons for bringing people together online. Authentic is the difference between a forced pick-up line used at a bar, versus some real situation that brings strangers together.

The drama of war is just one such compelling reason that a game experience can provide very easily. In our combat game there are three primary roles: Attacker, Defender, and Hostage. These relationships set the groundwork for a series of continuing battles of seize and rescue that begin to shape memorable moments of triumph and despair as well as give stories users can share in the community. The nature of the war triangle allows a conflict to grow beyond player versus player. One key aspect of defining these roles is NOT defining how people should go about dealing with their conflicts. Players discover their own methods of resolving the conflicts in game, whether it is a diplomatic plea, a ransom, or a retaliation with the help of friends. We give them tools for interacting within conflicts, not solutions.