Poster: Ukulkos at 3/8/2006 3:41:33 PM PST
Subject: Questions about guild relations programs |
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I'm really excited about Blizzard's initiative with the guild relations program to recognise great guilds that may not necessarily be big raiding guilds. It's a positive step and I'd hope that someday Mortal Wombats may be a part of it. But I have a couple of questions.
It seems pretty clear that forum posting is a large part of the criteria for entry into this program. My questions are two.
1) Many of our members are very active posters on the Khaz'goroth Realm Forums, and I'd think we're generally recognised as a very prominent guild among our Realm in this regard. But we rarely post on the General Forum, largely because of the reactionary nature of that forum and the very poor signal to noise ratio. In the past Blizzard have never really shown much sign that they read the Realm Forums (fair enough, there's a lot of them). Does this mean that Realm-oriented guilds are going to be at a disadvantage here?
2) Occasionally Blizzard marks a topic as one it's not really interested in hearing more about on the General forum, either by deleting posts or by trying to consolidate threads into a big monster thread that's really too long to meaningfully read or contribute to (such as stability issues or endgame progression). My worry is that people posting on these "bad" topics are going to be counting against their guild in this regard, even if their posts are polite, rational, and/or non-offensively humorous.
Is the cost of entry into this program going to be censoring our members from speaking politely but passionately on their legitimate concerns about their community experience? Because that's a cost I wouldn't want to see our guild pay.
Some clarification of these areas would help a lot, if someone from Blizzard is reading this. (Or if I've missed a reply on these issues elsewhere that someone can direct me to.)
New study suggests - only trolls disagree with me!
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-guild-relations&t=1813&p=#post1813 | | | Poster: Eyonix at 3/8/2006 4:52:16 PM PST
Subject: Re: Questions about guild relations programs |
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You are going to be at a disadvantage if you stick to posting only in your realm forum. This program is designed to encourage players to branch out and begin sharing with the community as a whole, rather than just members of a particular realm. With the incentives that this program offers, I'm hoping to shift the balance of the current signal to noise ratio.
Concerning your second comment, please understand that I've been involved the World of Warcraft community since it was born. I like to think of myself as an understanding and reasonable person. With that being said, primarily it will be me selecting guilds into this program and I don't plan to exclude guilds simply because one or more members are vocal on heated topics or push disagreeable points.
It's a different matter entirely if they are violating Code of Conduct, but I don't believe that's your concern.
Although this program will certainly receive criticism, please understand that it's one that was developed with good intentions, and absolutely no hidden agenda exists.
I want our players to know that good deeds will be rewarded.
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-guild-relations&t=1813&p=#post2039 | Poster: Eyonix at 3/8/2006 5:01:08 PM PST
Subject: Re: Questions about guild relations programs |
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Q u o t e:
Will you be banning guilds that have cascaded? I hope so.
Guilds in the program will be expected to follow in-game policies, as well as abide by the Forum Code of Conduct. However, previous transgressions won't necessarily exclude a guild from joining. I want to give everyone interested a fair and reasonable chance at becoming a member of this program.
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-guild-relations&t=1813&p=#post2076 | Poster: Eyonix at 3/9/2006 11:23:03 AM PST
Subject: Re: Ah, yes. I have several movies here... |
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Q u o t e:
I would like to take a brief moment to lodge a complaint/rant, though it is unlikely that I will get the chance to find an answer.
Here again we find Blizzard preferencing the people who can post a great deal and can spend time wandering through their forums over those who have other things to do. Much as I love the game, I simply DO NOT HAVE TIME to spend both playing the game, reading & posting the forums, AND pursuing my normal life and job--not to mention making faqs, guides, movies, and whatever else you might want from us. Is this an intentional slight, or am I misreading the way this new structure functions? How are small guilds composed of people who are primarily casual players supposed to use this new content?
Being a member of a smallish guild, we have been trying to make contacts with other small guilds to work on arrangements to play with the end game content, and when I saw this my heart leapt with joy--Blizz is making it easier for us to hook up! But no, this is just a way for big/active guilds to get good publicity. Maybe they can even deign to help us smaller guilds! Perhaps they, in their magnanimity, will reach down to give us a hand!
I can't wait.
Fine. I will continue to play in obscurity and not worry about this stuff, just like I don't worry about MC and BWL and whatever other new content appears that requires me to either grind on the same mobs for reputation or play 40 hours a week in a highly active guild with loads of (dedicated) level sixties.
I will be interested to see if it will be possible to level to 70 in the new expansion without posting on the forums, joining the biggest guilds, raiding AQ, and soloing Onyxia--maybe it will be a REAL challenge and we can try to do it all in one night.
Q u o t e:
I would agree with Oyonnax post right above me.
This is my point of view, and not my guilds.
Even as a fairly large guild (170 members), a lot of us do not post on these boards. As mentioned, the S/N ratio of General, and just a lot of OT bantering and thread whoring ruins to much of the forums.
The idea behind guild relations is nice, but imho, it is the wrong way to go about it to make a large portion of it about forum posting.
As mentioned 90% of my guild if they are not working (real life) they are playing. I only sporadically look at these boards for upcoming change or if I have a desired need. I am lucky enough to be able to even view these boards at work due to the nature of my job. Tons of info strategies are already posted. Do we need a new influx of old material once again?
What about those guilds say like mine, which have very high in game Guild Relations with other guilds. We have multiple ties to smaller guilds (10-40+ people) and help them out. We take some of their members in MC, then we helped them grow, and then treach them to lead on there own. Now they have progressed and grew so fast, they got up to Domo in weeks time on there own from a guild which 4 weeks prior 95% of then never say MC. Or even tagging along with other small guilds to help them run ZG and even 5 man instances. To me, this is real Guild Relations. The fact that we create our own in game channel specifically to allow the guilds to all interact together, so this way during low usage hours or even peak, if someone's group can get filled or someone need and item or quest, we are able to help each other out. The fact is that guilds go out of their way to help those less fortunate on their realm. These are the type of guilds that need to be displayed as great Guild Relations guilds. They help people ingame, not by posting a bunch of strategies or junk on a forum.
So what is in it for us, for those who will not post on the boards, but those of us who continue to help out the smaller guilds, by lending them a hand, letting them see the end-game content, and by helping things progress on the realm? That is guild relations, bringing the realm one step closer to unity.
Edit: Spelling and quick adjustment
Basically because x prevents you from accomplishing y and receiving z as a reward, you both feel justified in stating that z should not exist for anyone? I'm sorry, but players that create their own obstacles will likely not enter into this program.
This is a fun and exciting program which I hope grows over time. As a matter of fact, I'm going to see that such is the case. I'm watching for players that put an emphasis on contributing to what they believe makes this game more enjoyable for others. I anticipate seeing guilds in this program with as few as ten to fifteen members. Regardless of whether guilds are invited because their members work together to provide something special, or because of the effort of just a single member, joining the program will have been earned.
I'm curious, rather than creating posts about what you and your guild aren't capable of, what could you have done instead?
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-guild-relations&t=1813&p=#post3909 |
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