Dear Supreme Ruler 2020,
I don’t think we should see each other any more.
You’ve probably seen this coming for a long time now. Ever since you came into my life back in July, things have been somewhat strained between us. I thought I could handle your eighty pages of documentation — after all, who actually reads that stuff anyway? After a cursory glance at the table of contents, I was eager to get to know you, and after I navigated your tutorials, I thought I understood you pretty well. But when we started getting serious, it didn’t take me long to realize that there is far more to you than meets the eye.
It’s not you, SR2020, it’s me. You’re a real catch, with your lovely graphics, excellent ambient musical score, and your substantially varied level design. You deserve a gamer who will treat you the way you deserve to be treated — with the respect and devotion a game like you requires. I’m just not looking for a serious gaming relationship right now.
There’s so much to love about you, SR2020. You’re a fantastically in-depth turn-based strategy with a well-constructed and believable, historically-based backstory. I thought that you would be a perfect match for someone like me, with a Master’s degree in US History, or anyone with an interest in military history, international diplomacy, or combat strategy. And I think that there are gamers out there for you. I know there are. But I’m not one of them, I’m sorry. It’s a personal failing of mine that I can’t keep straight the difference between an A4D and an A3J, and I’m working through this.
You’ve got to believe me, SR2020, I gave it my best shot. I read the entire user manual. I played the tutorials, which I have to admit left me a bit cold. I was okay with that, because you seemed to have such promise. And then I played a vehicle-transport level, and everything was great. But when I tried to defend the borders of the US against simultaneous attacks from Canada and Mexico, things really started to break down. Maybe things would be better if we tried again with the help of the Supreme Wiki. It’s constantly expanding and has grown considerably since last time I saw you. But I just feel like I need some time off right now, to cry and learn and grow.
So, SR2020, I guess this is goodbye. I’ll never regret our time together, and I’ll always remember you with affection. I know you’ll make some lucky wargamer very happy someday.
I hope we can still be friends.
Always,