That’s a pretty loaded and wide subject is it not? I mean those organizations with in the games that the game makers included to foster a sense of community and belonging. They are usually, groups, societies, corporations, guilds and even parties (as in political). So far these are the titles I have encounters. In addition to fostering a sense of community, these organizations usually have a common goal of some sort and the members try to assist the other members. We’re going to just call these organizations guilds as the concept works well and the term is fairly common within the online massive multiplayer game genre.
The functions of the guild varies depending on the game. And the personality depending on the people involved.
I have been fortunate enough to be a member of a very large guild that had control of a large area and this allowed me the opportuntiy to advance my character a good bit, in a fairly short time. The members were into helping each other quite a bit, and without really expecting a lot in return. The first thing I was asked was if I had a certain weapon or armour skill at a particular level and I was to let that person know when I did. When I did, they gave me a wicked awesome level of whichever it was, armour or weapon. This was a great experience. I took a two week break from playing only to return to the game somewhere I didn’t leave myself and without a guild. I was horrified, I thought I had been kicked out. That wasn’t the case, some other guilds got together and raided and wiped my guild off the map, literally. It was a shock. And a disappointment.
I have also been a member of a guild that for some reason the leader was trying very hard to make it very large. He/She was insistent on a very regimented sort of behavior. We had to use a voice service while in game. We were expected to get on it. We were expected to greet the group in the guild chat and things like that. I remember being very tired and having a headache and just wanting to be left alone one night and he/she was taking a bunch on some exploring expedition and I didn’t want to go. He/She was trying very hard to get me to. I left the group after the drama got really too much. I think I was a member all of a month. In that same game some members of that group splintered off to form their own and asked me to join them. I did for a while. They were too small and had grandiose and altruistic ideas and after a while I decided I was better off guild-less. Interestingly, the leader has left the game completely, and many of the members of the splinter group have rejoined the original.
The unfortunate experience in that particular game has taught me a few things with regards to guilds.
Becoming a member of a guild can be easy or complicated depending on the guild and the game. Often times, as you are off doing your own thing and minding your game business, someone will ask if you might be interested in joining their guild. That’s what happened in the case of the less than ideal case. In the ideal case, I was actually ‘advertising’ that I was looking for a guild. I was at a point in that game where I needed a strong guild to advance further. That was all I knew and I was very lucky. I have been asked to be a member of a start-up guild. This happens sort of randomly. Someone is forming a guild for some reason, they need a certain number of people as founding members and they are a couple short. I’ve never taken up this offer to join a start up other than that splinter group. Sometimes you have to go through an application process and sometimes it appears to be very simple event.
I think I was actually interviewed for the guild in the less than ideal case. I didn’t register that at the time. I was asked to be a member of a guild in a different game because of the equipment I had at the time and the activity I was participating in. Believe it or not, a lot of these games have mining as a component. I guess so since you tend to need weapons, ships, and other stuff of the ilk. In any case, I didn’t really think to ask about the guild, I’m really not sure why I bothered as I had never intended to be a member of a guild in that game. I wanted to create my own since in this game you can have a guild of one if you would like. I was a member of the guild in this particular game for less than a week. I found it disturbed the way I had come to enjoy playing the game. I went back to a system guild for a while and I have since created my one person guild. I does leave something to be desired.
So, in that game that I had the less than ideal experience, I was once again asked if I might be interested in joining a guild. I like this game, I don’t want my play to be colored by frustration with other players. When I was asked, I asked. I asked about the guild, what it’s goals are, what the expectations are of the members, and then I said yes. I have to say, so far it has been a very pleasurable experience. Within the first week or so I was invited on a group hunt that was a lot of fun. I realized I hadn’t had so much fun in quite a while. And when I was done it wasn’t a big deal to say I had to go. Wow. I’ve gone on a hunt with another member as well and we did pretty good, especially since we were hunting things that are a little out of my league. I’m hoping this continues to be a good experience.
When the guild experience is a good one it really does enhance game play and create a sense of community.
See you in the machine.
Games
Originally published at: suguayproductions.com/joomla which has been discontinued.
