🌉 I destroyed a forest using the power of engineering!

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Hello Fellow Engineers!

Welcome to Real Civil Newsletter - the only newsletter where Rome gets rebuilt, forests get flattened, and diplomacy collapses faster than an architect’s bridge.

This week we’re celebrating the glory of Roman engineering, the utter lack of it in Tree Harvester’s bridge, and giving away a copy of Countryballs: Power Protocol, where world peace depends entirely on… round geometry.

We’ve got ancient concrete that still puts modern stadiums to shame, digital deforestation that would make a lumberjack blush, and Paddy going full camouflage mode.

Let’s dive into it 👇

This week, we’re giving away ONE copy of Countryballs: Power Protocol!

Ever wondered what would happen if diplomacy, world domination, and pure chaos were run entirely by spherical national stereotypes?

Well, now you can find out! Manage your country, build alliances (or don’t), and see how long you can hold it together before everything collapses faster than an architect’s load-bearing dream.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… 🥁

🏆 kittoheath4 🏆

Check your inbox for your game key!

Didn’t win this time? Don’t worry - more giveaways are on the way every week!

Want a shot at the next one? Vote for your favorite bridge in the poll in this email! 🌉🛠

👷‍♂️ Truss Me, I’m an Engineer…

When Rome Was Built Without Architects

Let’s talk about the Colosseum, the ancient Roman megaproject that proves what happens when engineers are left alone long enough to make something both terrifying and structurally sound.

Built in 80 AD, this bad boy could hold 50,000 screaming spectators, dozens of lions, a few unlucky gladiators, and, most importantly, zero architects.

⚙️ Engineering Feats Worth Flexing About:

• Self-supporting arches: 240 of them, distributing load so efficiently the place still stands 2,000 years later.

• Concrete innovation: The Romans mixed volcanic ash into their concrete, it literally gets stronger with age.

• Hypogeum (the underground arena): A two-level network of tunnels, cages, and elevators operated by a system of pulleys, the OG backstage automation.

• Drainage system: So advanced they could supposedly flood the arena for mock sea battles and drain it again like it was nothing.

• Velarium: A massive retractable canvas roof operated by sailors from the Roman Navy. Because even in ancient times, engineers thought about user comfort.

This structure has (mostly) survived earthquakes, fires, medieval looters, and tourists with selfie sticks, yet it still stands tall. Meanwhile, the average modern stadium needs a “structural inspection” after someone sneezes too hard in the upper deck.

The Game is Changing

The internet was supposed to make it easier to build and connect. Somewhere along the way, we lost the plot.

beehiiv is changing that once and for all.

On November 13, they’re unveiling what’s next at their first-ever Winter Release Event. For the people shaping the future of content, community, and media, this is an event you can’t miss.

RSVP today

⚡ Cool Links

🛠️ World’s Top 10 Tallest Bridges in 2025
Span gorges, defy gravity, and make architects go pale. Proof that engineers literally rise above them.

🔬 Quantum Nuclei Chatting via Electrons, Yes Really
Researchers discovered a way for atomic nuclei to whisper through electrons.

🏗️ The 10 Best Infrastructure Stories So Far in 2025
Flood defences, digital twins, bold bridges, infrastructure is finally getting the main-character energy it deserves.

🐕️ Black Labrador Puppy's FIRST DAY HOME! SUPER CUTE!
On the cold morning of January 23rd, our lives changed forever as the beautiful Paddy, the black Labrador, finally came home with us. This video covers his pawesome first day with us, which was mainly the trip to go get him and then lots of playing and getting settled in!

🎮 Gaming News

🔥 Hyper Light Breaker Devs Pull the Plug & Lay Off Staff
RIP sequel plans. Even dev teams know architects’ redesigns can kill you.

🎲 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Hits 5M Sales + Free Update
Artful, weird, and climbing charts, plus a fresh update to celebrate.

🌟 Blue Prince: Puzzle Game Now a GOTY Darling
Shifting manors, brain burns, and pure chaos!

🃏 CloverPit Launches as Roguelite Horror Slot-Machine Game
It’s like your mate wired a slot machine to a horror game and said, “trust the process.” I played it recently HERE

🐕‍🦺 Paddy’s Corner

Paddy is camouflaged in flowers, can I get his ball?

Some say engineers blend into blueprints - but Paddy’s mastered camouflage IRL.

He’s vanished into the flowers… and I’m just trying to get the ball before he does.

👾 Indie Game of the Week:

This week, I used engineering to do what nature never asked for - deforest an entire digital world one satisfying swipe at a time. Think chainsaws, upgrades, and girth. So much girth.

Architects design parks, engineers remove them efficiently.

Watch me commit eco-unfriendly genius below 👇️ 

It’s time for a Bridge Review!

Ah yes - the mighty Tree Harvester Bridge, a masterpiece of bare-minimum structural enthusiasm. Five planks heroically nailed into two bits of 2x4, bravely carrying my over-sawed logging truck and several tonnes of digital deforestation.

No fancy curves, no artistic handrails, no architect whispering about “form meeting function.” Just raw, unapologetic load-bearing. An honest bridge for honest engineers.

✅ Engineering Feats: It didn’t collapse.

Final Score: 4.7 / 10 - loses points for splinters, gains them back for integrity.