BlueDestiny Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 (edited) Following is a draft of suggested Charter Builder toolset designed to address Section VI of the Definitive Issues thread found in the signature. Depending on your position as an MMO stakeholder, click on Spoiler to see how you can you leverage it. Players: We play the game, and whether at endgame or other dimensions of gameplay, the guild experience often materially impacts our enjoyment of the game. Think about your guild experiences, leadership, and enjoyment, and if you were looking for a guild today and were provided a search tool by the MMO developer, what would you like the following Charter Topics to address. Do the Topics which follow adequately cover your needs, or would you amend them in some way – please post your input to refine the toolset of questions and possible responses. Guild Leaders: leverage the toolset questions to refine and define your community, what it offers its members, and community expectations by, for, and of members. Use it to dialogue and validate current charter elements in your guilds, or bolster them. For each individual element of your new or refined charter, if each were put to a vote in guild’s forum polls, would the member’s votes agree with the charter, or opt for a different answer? Do you want to know? How well would your members vote your success or execution of each charter element on a scale of 1 to 5? Do you want to know? Do you want that feedback measured periodically to identify needs and need for evolution or change? Are you prepared to navigate and lead change over time with changing community needs? Bioware (MMO Developers): recognize that the satisfaction of Players' guild experiences materially affect the players’ satisfaction of the game itself. How many players are satisfied with their guilds? How many players are not in a guild because of repeated attempts to find a good fit in a well-rounded community? How many guild communities are well defined and well rounded? If you can’t answer those questions, Bioware, master of metrics, why haven’t you asked?... via survey, for such a material driver of gaming satisfaction? Please leverage the following primer material as a basis for developing and delivering guild Charter-builder Toolbox systems for your players to utilize to materially raise the bar on guild performance and guild satisfaction, and subsequently, player satisfaction: Provide a Drop-down Box style Charter-builder toolbox for guilds - to build their charters and better define their communities, Provide a Search Tool for players - to use the drop-down selections to find and research like-minded (good) fits, similar to what you did prior to launch, but with the additional functionality, and finally, Provide a Rating Tool for a guild's members - such that players can rank performance on each charter dimension: Members of that guild may rate it on a scale of 1 to 5, Ratings are averaged and age for 4 months for each contributing vote, Ratings may be updated/amended by the member account holder, which resets the 4-month timer and the average rating for that charter element, Prospective members via aforementioned search tools may filter for charter options based upon the guild's member votes; ie. search by “Decision-making” with members rating of 3 or higher. Solution Developers: may include entrepreneurial individuals who may want to prototype this as a web tool, in the event TOR or another MMO developer doesn’t jump on this sooner, that guilds and players may want to use as a marketable platform for building charters, posting charters, guild search, and guild ratings - via proprietary presence, or by selling to a provider such as Guildlaunch or Enjin. Feel free to take it and run with it, all that matters to me is that players like me have a tool to use to make their countless gaming hours more enjoyable via an effective guild community. CHARTER BUILDER TOOLBOX Section 1: Demographics [sERVER NAME] or [ALL] for Search Q1: Faction Focus: Both Factions Empire exclusivelyRepublic exclusivelyEmpire as Focus, but Republic alts welcomedRepublic as Focus, but Empire alts welcomedComments: Q2: Gameplay Area of Focus Endgame Raiding PvPSocial, Events, RPOtherAll elements at members' optionsDoes not applyComments: Q3: Engagement Style Server First, or Server Best Sets and achieves Progressive Goals Goal oriented, but Real Life first Any or all elements at each player's optionDoes not applyComments: Q4: No. of Members Logged In @ Prime Time, Today 2 - 5 (New)6 - 10 11 - 2021 – 4041 + Q5: No. of Members Logged In @ Prime Time, Goal 6 - 10 11 - 2021 – 4041 +As many as needed to meet the Charter's objectivesComments: Q6: Guild Time Zone / Location US - PacificUS - CentralUS - EasternEuropeOceanicInternational – GlobalComments: Q7: Age Qualifications Any age welcomeYouth orientedAdults, and those who conduct themselves as adultsAdults 18 and over18 and over, exceptions granted by leadershipOther – see CommentsComments: Section 2: Leadership Q8: Leadership Depth Flat – 1 to 2 levels of leadershipForming Stages – 1 to 2 levels of leadership that will evolve with needsHierarchy – many levels serving various functionsComplex – with various Positions and Roles, RP Theme or BackstoryOtherComments: Q9: Leadership Type Autocratic: guild leader(s) roles are owned and do not expireAutocratic-Plus: guild leader(s) roles are owned, with supporting leadership roles appointed by leadersHybrid Autocratic: guild leader(s) roles are owned, with supporting leadership roles selected by open candidacy and member votes, for predetermined periods of timeDemocratic: leader(s) of all levels and roles selected by open candidacy and member votes, serving for predetermined periods of timeHybrid Democratic: guild leaders(s) elected, without scheduled timing or dates of next electionDoes not applyComments: Q10: Leadership Philosophy Leaders are stewards of a community of adults, who serve because they are capable and enjoy serving and participating among a thriving community of peers, and engage community feedback to navigate changeLeaders did the work to form the community, or inherited the community, know better, and make guild decisions to sustain the environment that suits them; like it or leave itLeaders run the guild that has been structured for success, feel things are fine the way they are, are not aware of any tangible need to change anything, so let's hold minor complaints and focus on enjoying the gameDoes not applyComments: Q11: Decision Making All substantive decisions are made by formal community voteHybrid decision-making by leadership or community vote, depending on issueDecisions are made by leadershipDecisions are made by leadership after seeking community inputDoes not applyComments: Q12: Depth of Consideration Decisions are made quickly with limited opportunity for discussion of ideasDecisions are made by leadership with no consideration of input from membersAlternatives are discussed openly for a good week, then decided by leadershipAlternatives are posted for discussion for a good week, then voted by membersDoes not applyComments: Q13: Input from Newer Members Input and perspective of newer members are not valued - like the way it's been, or leavePerspective of newer members are considered as part of an evolving member baseWe explain to newer members why we like it the way it isCharters/Practices were established by leaders, and change/evolution is not welcome unless initiated by leadersDoes not applyComments: Q14: Leadership’s Support of Charter Navigates change, and responds to evolving situations and member baseFunds structure and infrastructure with the right resources at the right timeParticipates in areas of guild’s Gameplay Focus (see Q2)Participates with community, listens and communicatesExercises effective feedback loops (see Q15-16)All of the aboveDoes not applyComments: Q15: Recruitment Policies Resources, policies, and membership qualifications in place to sustain charter goalsInformal practices in place, with Membership Application form and processInformal practices in place, no Membership Application form and processOpen recruitment policy, for all takers who agree to Charter tenetsDoes not applyComments: Q16: Guild Meetings What's a Guild Meeting, Never Had OneGuild Meetings are scheduled as needed to storm member inputGuild Meeting schedule established, for ongoing feedback on Charter performance or otherwiseDoes not applyComments: Q17: Satisfaction Surveys Surveys/Polls sustained to measure members' satisfaction on each charter poing, to both a) ensure that the right elements are in place, and b) are reasonably being executedNo Surveys/Polls - but welcome input, so we can explain why it is the way it is and will not be changedCharter is set in stone, feedback is not welcomeDoes not applyComments: Section 3: Focus and Approach Q18: Focus and Membership Qualifications Membership and/or Slot recruitment determined by rigorous standards of class and skill levelProgressive skill building and activities from beginners upCasual environment, participate at your discretion and enjoyDoes not applyComments: Q19: Activity Levels in Gameplay Area of Focus (see Q2) Scheduled times and leaders, at least weeklyBoth scheduled and spontaneous events, at least monthlyEvents spontaneously by players, at least weeklyEvents spontaneously by players daily, or close to dailyActivity level is not specified, occurs upon demandDoes not applyComments: Q20: Combat Activity - Communication Voice Chat with microphone use mandated for all group membersVoice Chat mandated for group members, with active mic for raid leaderVoice Chat encouraged for all group membersDoes not applyComments: Q21: Combat Activity - Class Skills Expectation for class skill mastery, immediately or quickly, to sustain slot or membershipPlayers enjoy class skill progression, are proactive learners towards masteryCasual approach to class skills, real life priority, best effortsDoes not applyComments: Q22: Combat Activity - Teamwork and Roles Basic competency of combat roles; Tank, Off-tank, Healer, DPS, CC, etc.Solid combat role mastery and situational responseSolid teamwork through communication, preparation, and progressive learningDoes not applyComments: 23: Policy regarding Alts Focus on main avatar as sole focus, mastery of one class as sole priorityFocus and support on main for group activities, though alts welcome in guildAs many alts as members like and can be self-sufficient withDoes not applyComments: Q24: Other Areas of Focus Activities/goals are established for CraftingActivities/goals are established for RPActivities/goals are established for Social, World events and activitiesAc tivity/goals are established for multiple of above areasDoes not applyComments: Section 4: Community Q25: Community Primary Priority Achievement of Gameplay Area of Focus Goals (see Q2)Environment of casual friends and familySupports individual player’s enjoymentAll of the aboveSustain Guild Charter success through effective leadership and member engagementDoes not applyComments: Q26: Language and Tolerance Anything goes – we’re adultsPG-13, be respectful and tolerant of all races, religions, politics, preferences, etc.Children-friendly environmentDoes not applyComments: Q27: Participation – Forums and Voice Chat Active participation in both is expected to support community and stay informedActive participation in both is requested, real life comes firstActive participation in Forums is requested, real life comes firstActive participation in Voice Chat is requested, real life comes firstDoes not applyComments: Q28: Policy regarding Family or Children Approved member only, no family members or children unless approved as membersSpouses welcome, children welcome if meeting standards of behavior per Q7Family and Children generally approved, see leadershipAge limits apply – see Q7Family and children of members are welcomeDoes not applyComments: Q29: Expectations for Participation Real Life comes firstCasual, no requirement for participationFrequent participation and support of guild’s Area of Focus (see Q2)Does not applyComments: Edited December 22, 2012 by BlueDestiny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueDestiny Posted December 29, 2012 Author Share Posted December 29, 2012 Added a few selections in Leadership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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