A New Idea

[RichPlaystation]

It might suck, or you might steal it and use it elsewhere because it totally rocks, who knows :)

But anyway, I have an idea that is possibly only implimentable on a custom server, where you have to pay some sort of upkeep to keep a clan open, that way it stops people just starting clans and never doing anything with them, plus it promotes some sort of clan loyalty I would hope in that you could 'chip in' to pay the rent. I think clan creation was a problem on classic and among some other servers so this may solve this issue..... maybe.

No idea what amount or indeed what currency (gems, gold e.t.c) would even work, so what do you reckon? :)

[X-Kal]

It *is* an interesting idea, and would help to cut back on the number of inactive clans. However, it still brings up the inherent problem of people stealing clans from each other. Supposedly, if you get leader status, you can just go on and demote the founder and claim it was yours all along. At least, that's the interpretation I took out of it. Or, the original leader will expire, then come back and claim to be the original owner and want control back again. Whether or not the claims are true, the administration would have to go through the task of figuring out who is telling the truth, then coming up with a decent response.

And, of course, there's clan politics - simple things like "Everyone haunt Farmboy Example!" that makes things miserable for everyone.

I like the idea... but there are other problems that need to be fixed, too.

[RichPlaystation]

Here are my personnal rules, which if used would solve the problems however:

If anyone insites mass clan attack, kick them out, simple!
Don't promote anyone unless you already known them in real life and really trust them, or have known said person for years on the internet outside of LotGD. There is very little (actually, only two thing) an officer or leader can do, that couldn't wait a few hours till the clan founder comes back (promoting applicants to member status or updating the MotD).

Simple :)
Also, encourage people to report other messing around, it is up the admin then, i'd be happy to deal with it for one.

[Mess]

I like the solution implemented on Classic to promote clan activity. No comment posted in five days, say bye bye to clan. (Correct me if I am wrong)

EDIT: Correcting myself.

It seems I have wrong idea about the criterion for inactive clans.

END EDIT:

I have a few words to say regarding clan loyalty and other similar sentiments. I did not allow anyone inside for almost one year after I founded our clan (though, I'd post something silly almost everyday to keep comment area occupied :D). Now we are eleven and seven of us are leaders, the rest are officers. I know only one of the present clan mates outside GD, but they joined way after the initial members. Also, I left the clan several times to pursue roleplay objectives, and when I came back I had no problem assuming my previous position as the leader. There are many other clans besides ours and, from what I know, only few have shown signs of trouble. My point is that, those few troublemakers take matters to such extreme length that it becomes impossible to take one's focus off of what they (the troublemakers) have done.

I like the idea of doing something for the clan. I guess, if a buff could be arranged for filling the (imaginary?) coffers once per day. Giving gems can give you attack buff, gold can give you defense buff. Giving more may lead to increased duration or power of the said buff. Besides, the hall of fame can mention the clan with most (imaginary?) gold in its (repetitive, isn't it?) coffers.

[RichPlaystation]

I like that bit at the end with the clan buffs idea Mess :)
I'd be lying if I said that DOY has never had problems or arguements, I mean at least 1 other clan started because someone took a dislike to me, plus a few others left to start their own clans, hell I was once upon a time part of a clan that is still going now! (Naked Elves)

I think (and please say if you think differently) a lot of the problems with the clan situation come from people trusting others with 'power' far too easily, a little common sense goes a long way with this sort of thing.

[Penguin Fred]

Never even knew clan halls had problems. Only strange things the PINOY clan has had was the leader Maharatbu failed to log on within a month and had his account shutdown. The logical leader would be RockSlayer, but he hardly ever logs in and didn't want it. So we went by seniority.

I really like Mess's ideas towards the end of his post.

[RichPlaystation]

*nudges* but partly my idea too, surely :D I think the two ideas work well together, not sure if the bigger servers have the time to do this sort of thing though, but it would definatly be interesting.
Though I can't imagine we would need it on Dragoncat, the problems they have had with clans over on Classic just isn't there for some reason. Maybe because we have alot less people and clans on the server for one thing.

[X-Kal]

There have been troubles in the past, and I can think of one incident myself, though out of respect for those involved, I wouldn't really say more than that.

I do fear the consequences of any action that would create buffs or other in-game incentives for being part of a clan, aside from the social element. I feel that there should be no specific mechanism that would pressure someone to join a clan, who wouldn't normally otherwise join. As nice as it is that people are interacting, a person who goes solo should have just as much of an advantage as clan members.

[Penguin Fred]

Yeah, people who wander out by themselves in movies always do ok! :sad:

*Ack! Look behind you! <hack, slash, chomp> etc


Safety in numbers.

[RichPlaystation]

There have been troubles in the past, and I can think of one incident myself, though out of respect for those involved, I wouldn't really say more than that.

I do fear the consequences of any action that would create buffs or other in-game incentives for being part of a clan, aside from the social element. I feel that there should be no specific mechanism that would pressure someone to join a clan, who wouldn't normally otherwise join. As nice as it is that people are interacting, a person who goes solo should have just as much of an advantage as clan members.

Yeah that IS true, well it was only a thought anyway and i'm still glad I had a think about it :) Thinking more makes my my brain feel fuzzy :cool:

I need to do some more thinking about my next idea before I post it, wait and see..... ;)

[RichPlaystation]

Yeah, people who wander out by themselves in movies always do ok! :sad:

*Ack! Look behind you! <hack, slash, chomp> etc


Safety in numbers.

I know that was a joke, and a funny one at that :D
But I think that may actually be one of the problems, the more people stick together with the best of intentions, over time they could become so close that anyone not with them gets treated differently.

[X-Kal]

I know that was a joke, and a funny one at that :D
But I think that may actually be one of the problems, the more people stick together with the best of intentions, over time they could become so close that anyone not with them gets treated differently.

I think that's true with any group, really... though I think there's a way to combat that, as well. If you make sure to place extra emphasis on greeting and welcoming new members to the group, and actively ensuring that they take part in group activities, it won't be long before you forget that they weren't a long-time member. Of course, then they eventually become a long-time member ;)

[RichPlaystation]

I DO that, so I'm glad to hear I was doing it right to some extent :P I greet people, if people want to stay quiet then let them be, if people want to chat then strike up a conversation.
Different stuff for different people, but at the same time some form of nicety (yeah, it's a word) works with everyone. :)

[Valancy]

wow, Rich used a big word!

/me rins!

[RichPlaystation]

wow, Rich used a big word!

/me rins!

I know alot of odd and long words, just I tend to stick to short and punch innuendos ;)

[Qwyxzl]

Truthfully there are two or three problems with clans. One that is only possible with clans the other two are possible without them but tend to occur much more frequently with them. The first is only really an issue if there are many clans and that is having that many more comment areas to moderate. Another is clan war type of thing. These can be highly disruptive to regular comment areas and can lead to some very bitter feeling amongst players. This can lead to the third but is not the only way it can happen. Groups of players can indeed gang up on a single or small number of players using haunting or any number of other things depending on what is installed. Both the these can be accomplished without clans but clans greatly facilitate it. having a central chat to coordinate makes it easier.

And yes we purged many clans from central and will continue to do so as long as there are clans that are sitting basically empty. The point of being in a clan on most servers is social so you should use the social area you are being given otherwise there is no point.

[RichPlaystation]

Agreed, plus the other good thing about clans (that I know of) is that fellow clan members are more likely to help you out with gold than random strangers I always found, or people from other clans, depends really.