📢 The interview with a spy!

Yes, I know. I’ve been completely away from the articles—but I haven’t been sleeping. Since I last wrote to you, several things have happened: Portugal is Portugal again, Germany appeared on the map, the Nordic countries started to revolt, and Iran showed up out of nowhere.

But I haven't been standing still—I’ve been preparing one of the biggest interviews/investigations I’ve done since I arrived at WarEra. Through some interviews and conversations, I realized there was a topic that wasn't being talked about—something everyone knew, but no one wanted to discuss.

So, like the cat of truth, I decided to bring the topic to light. I managed to get some information and, above all, I spoke with someone who has been, and likely will be again, a spy. In a world where everyone thinks they know something, but where so many surprises exist.

During this interview, I will never disclose the interviewee’s name for their protection. I should note that the interview was conducted via a Discord voice call to protect the interviewee from potential “screenshots” that could end up exposing them.

They will be referred to throughout the interview as: The Spy.

So, Spy, first of all, who are you?

I’m a very simple guy who likes this game. I joined around Christmas with three friends. We joined our country, and for a few weeks, it was a very interesting game, but not every game creates the same interest, so my two friends left. I ended up staying and got settled into my original nation’s Discord. I play to this day—well, I stopped for seven days to focus on my final project.

It seems being a spy wasn’t an initial thing. When did it start?

It’s funny; it all started when problems arose with the community of my original nation. They started disagreeing on some issues, the atmosphere changed completely, and that cheerful general Discord chat turned into a daily provocation between groups. I had already lost my friends, and consequently, I lost the desire to show up and hang out with my nation. That was when, in the Global Chat, I asked: “Isn't it possible to change countries?” Everyone asked me for my reasons; I wasn't ashamed and I told them, and that was the first time I heard the word "Spy." Because people were saying, "Are you going to be a spy?" I had no idea that was possible.

So, you decided to find out more about spies after that day?

Negative. I really just wanted to change environments because the country I was in was truly toxic. That was when a guy approached me, and we talked a lot in the chat about it—about changing nations, my motives, and above all: that I would have the reputation of a spy wherever I went. I remember that after that conversation, I stayed another 6 days in my original nation until I told him in a Discord chat that I couldn't take it anymore; the attacks weren't even coordinated. That was when he said he would try to find a way for me to get into his country.

And you entered his country and were a spy for his country or against it?

Curiously, neither. I remember that during those days, he asked me if I played [Confidential: according to the player, it’s something that doesn't have many players and could reveal more] and that they needed people to fill the lobby. I accepted, even because I played. They were good moments, but after the game, I realized everyone was a WarEra player—one was already a veteran who didn't focus on the game anymore—and that was when I heard the topic: "Being a spy," or rather, the first time I heard it attentively.

How did you enter that world?

In that conversation, he asked me what I wanted to do in the game. I told him I had joined with the focus of helping my country and, consequently, trying to vote on laws in congress or something, but my friends quitting and the environment becoming toxic left me a bit rudderless. That conversation ended with him saying he would talk to me in a few days. And after those days, he actually spoke to me. He said I had the perfect profile to be a spy.

What is the "perfect profile" to be a spy?

What many people do is create new accounts and go to a country’s chat trying to discover something. Of course, they always get something, especially because part of the player base isn't on Discord, especially in countries with higher populations—but it’s rare. Now, all instructions are given on Discord, and in the game, there are only code names, like a country that currently uses letters. But 'A' isn't the priority, nor is 'Z' the least priority. It’s a combination of letters that defines the priorities. So, if we can't get into the Discords, we can't get much information.

But what is the profile that makes it easy for you to access Discords?

Because there are many countries that are rigorous, but a large part are not. And that rigor is lost entirely due to one issue: Proxy countries. Those countries that are controlled by another nation, like Iran being controlled by Germans, Burkina Faso by the Portuguese, Namibia by Germans, Congo by your compatriots, Somalia by Romanians, and Canada by some others... [I didn't understand what he meant regarding Canada, but he told me to write it that way so the message would reach the right person]. And in "friendly" countries, or even "brother" countries, my account was always beneficial. Because I never created multiple accounts—I only had one. But it was high-level, had good equipment, and was always an interesting number when it came to wars.

And did you enter easily?

The first country was easy. And it wasn't a proxy. My friend just told me to apply for citizenship and say, "I came because of X," and I was accepted on the spot. But the moment I was accepted, the Vice President came to talk to me and said he understood it was complicated and that he knew it wasn't easy in the Discord of my original country, but that because I was a foreigner, I wasn't going to join their Discord. I agreed easily.

What information were you passing along at that moment?

None. At that moment, they told me to stay put. Just battle, show numbers. I only started to act when they needed people to go to the "brother countries." They suggested me, and I accepted. As soon as I entered the new country, I started getting the attack information and the offensive orders of the nation. Since there were orders and I couldn't go to the main nation's Discord, and nobody was in the new country’s Discord—they were there, but nobody spoke—they left the orders not only in the battles but in private messages.

And did that information change anything?

Yes, an attack that was going to be carried out on a Friday was carried out only on a Monday because the country I was working for—that is, providing information to—believed it didn't need to attack with force, pills, better gear, because it wouldn't be counter-attacked or attacked anywhere else. After the information, the orders were clear: make that confrontation a priority because it was clearly going to be contested.

What did you gain from that? And by the way, what do you gain from being a spy?

You can gain a bit of everything. There is currently a Discord, like a nation, but it’s for "mercenary" spies. There are currently about 18 of us—or even fewer, because we had good numbers working with Egypt and South Africa. Those members receive proposals and share them if they can’t do the job, like: "Friends, I can't get into nation 'X' or talk to anyone." Automatically, the guys try to access that country to see what they can or cannot do. There are many requests we don't fulfill. As for what we gain, it’s very diversified. The most common thing is for the spy, after delivering the information, to write an article—which will probably be funny memes or current news—and payment is made through donations.

The most you’ve ever received?

It wasn't through articles. In that first "job," I received 110 coins. Easy money just for sharing a simple piece of information. But what I received the most was recently, a battle in Muntenia, I think it was a month ago, if I’m not mistaken. I know that at the time, I warned that this battle would be the main point of damage and that they wouldn't let it pass, and it wouldn't just be to waste enemy equipment—and that made the difference in the strategy. I just felt good about warning them; it’s a team effort. But they insisted on paying me—it was the first and only time I received 30 surprise Steam keys. Those cards you buy? You know? They bought me 3 of 10 games each.

But you’ve been through many countries, right? Don't you feel like a traitor?

I’ve been through a few. Like I told you, there are countries like the UK, which requires a ticket, or even Portugal, which asks strange questions that are impossible to answer because I think they are truly "Portuguese" questions that only the Portuguese can answer, as well as countries like the Netherlands or the Nordic countries that increase their defense. This type of country is complicated to access via Discord and trust. But it is much easier to wander and explore the world of "brother countries," the proxy countries. And no, I never felt like a traitor. I'm not truly betraying my nation; I’m simply playing the game. And another thing: being a spy is very good for those who want to play in "Eco" mode; we just have to look like we are going to deal damage.

And tell me, are there any countries with spies?

As I told you, those low-level spies—who live to be in other people’s chats reading what they say and trying to get information—there are several. I know Egypt was one of the countries with the most duplicate accounts to read chats. A curious fact: when he reads this—if he ever does (he won't laugh at all)—I even know who bought Gemini because the translator from Western to Arabic was terrible, and he would paste the image and try to translate the whole thing. But I also know that a week ago, they tried to enter Germany. I also know of a low-level one who, given how long he’s been there, must already be at a funny level like yours, who is feeding the enemy and asked for citizenship with the usual: "The game sent me to country X, but I am one of yours." And I also know that they recently tried, or actually entered, Jamaica, with the excuse of being from some South American country. I know I should have studied, but I just don't remember very well. And mind you, I know this game is popular, especially on Reddit and similar environments—but do you think it’s only real players? The amount of multi-accounts out there is abnormal, and don't worry about the spies—we are playing our game, and you should protect yourselves. Worry about the players who have multiple accounts just to earn money and work for miserable wages.

Finally, have you been receiving job offers?

I happened to receive one recently, but as I said, I have to focus on my studies.

Can you tell me which country or countries they are?

It’s a complicated job. Because they are two countries that are socially brothers, and entering that community is complicated. That is Sudan and Egypt. Egypt is wounded, but it will respond. And there will always be a rivalry between Sudan and Egypt; even if Egypt decides to go north to Greece, Sudan will always be worried about Egypt.

And who sends you these proposals? Are they the presidents?

I’ve been playing like this for almost 8 months, and I can tell you I’ve only spoken to one president. Usually, it’s just some player with some influence in the country who wants to show work to his peers and must love going to the chat to say: "I know where they are going to attack."

Thanks for everything. Any plans for the future?

Thank you; it was a good conversation. Let's try not to be too hated by everyone! And plans? Pass my project; otherwise, my mother will kill me.