Guild Mediators

I've been toying with an idea for a while now. After coming back to EQ2, I don't really want to get caught up into the time commitment that guilds tend to cause, but I do want to try to organize something. Something that I think games are missing is what I'd like to refer to as a guild mediator. A person interested in taking on this role would need to not be in a guild (unless a guild of mediators was formed somehow).

His/her responsibilities would be to help guilds with any kind of interactions. The main two interactions that I can think of are mergers and joint raids. The mediator would work to make sure that both guilds come out even as opposed to one guild totally loosing its identity and pride.

Another role of a mediator could be to help guilds find players and players find guilds. Although many in game tools are being created for this sole purpose, I believe that it would benefit both parties if someone else stepped in that knew the guilds and could get to know the player even before the application process. Numbers can only tell so much about a player or a guild

I believe that a mediator could also help unorganized guilds become organized. One cool idea would be for larger, more organized guilds to help mentor new guilds with advise on different guild related subjects. The mediator could also help to organize permanent alliances such as raid alliances and trade alliances.

These are all just ideas right now, but I'm definitely interested in trying to tackle this idea on my EQ2 server. Who knows... I could even end up forming the first mediator guild though I kind of doubt that will happen.

It's an interesting idea, but there's not really enough time in the world to do this correctly!

I've done mediating for people/guilds in various ways, including my own, and it's a full-time job! As much as I like helping folks, I can't afford it. My family suffers, work (could), sleep deprivation occures because you can't just stop in the middle of mediating! You have to see it thru. You live online. Your email and IM consumption balloons. This is why they've tried to make the tools. It's not something you can do half-way. It's the case of ya do or ya don't or you get the bunt end of everyone's wrath!

That's exactly why I was thinking a guild of mediators might be a bit more effective. I could start it as a small operation and slowly recruit people. This theory could end up starting an entirely new type of guild.

I think in the end. People interested in using a mediator's services would have to work around the mediator's schedule and do a little planning before a meeting. There's a difference between someone who is on call and a person who is willing to help out when they have free time. Even if the mediator helps out only a few guilds, the mediator is still benefiting the guilds and players on the server.

Yes, but you know how prone to drama guilds can be. It puts you smack in the middle and if they don't like what happens, you're the one that gets the short end of the stick!

This is also why GMs or volunteer staff can't get involved in the middle of some things, even to holding items for a player while they xfer them: If anything happens, i.e. accidental disconnect, and either you can't get back on or the item poofs, YOU are the one held responsible and it becomes a liability issue.

It only takes one person to get their nose bent out of shape and you wind up having to change avatars/servers/games! Reps are much too important and look at the squeeky wheels (right or wrong) that get all the attention! And, a guild can't get GM preference, either, so a mediation guild is putting itself at risk right off the bat! (no, Curt...not THAT kind of bat! And, btw, grats to the Sox and the Celts last night!)

I know what you're thinking, but I see too many holes and issues.

Well to put my input into this, the idea does sound like something that is needed in MMOs. However, as Aredhel said it is not plausible for the person doing the mediating. NPCs would not be able to perform up to the standard a person would need or desire.

What I think MMOs need are tools for guilds to use to work together and yet be separate at the same time. Yes, there is chat and alliances, but I think that these are just basic tools for the system. It really just needs to be heavily expanded upon so that it meets the needs of the modern guilds. I would go into the whole rant I have about guilds.. but there is already another thread for my rants to be contained in.

Guilds and games have been the subject of many physc and sociology thesis/papers. You can find them online, if you look. Usually, every game has someone asking for volunteers to answer a questionaire for a grad student needing insite into the fantasy/gaming world.

It is becoming it's own form of social media. This is another aspect that is being looked at, obviously, or Rad wouldn't be asking the question. It literally opens a whole other realm in gaming, and it's not an easy one!