Better guild support

[DustyPorViva]

I hear the guild CP is going to be scripted... and maybe this stuff is planned, but I figure it's the best time. Right now, guilds are crippled.

In other MMO's they work much better because players usually dedicate themselves to one server, and that there are really few servers. Most importantly, guild's don't really span over multiple servers... so they don't really have the same problems guilds in Graal do.

There just isn't anything unifying about guilds. You can't really communicate across servers... so that's the main problem. Even if everyone wears their tags, many are off doing their own thing on their favorite server and it really tears the experience apart. There's just no communication... what are guilds for if you can't even communicate with your members? It seems the only servers that do well are those that occupy themselves mainly on one server like those on UN and Classic.

More importantly... there's no way to transfer information and news. The web CP provides the option... but no one goes there. I suggest some sort of in-game message system where you can post messages for the guild and when members log on they're somehow informed. This way we can relay important information to members of the guild... especially a guild with a purpose.

I also propose that guilds be implemented into RC's as well. I spent most of my time on RC, and noticed it didn't matter a bit. Why? Even though I wore my tag, it didn't matter.

I tried to do something big with Developer's Circle, but because of these handicaps it fell pretty fast. Even though we got a server, only those who frequented the forums and read the thread found out. We had no way to announce to the members that there was a whole server for them to learn and practice on. We got forums... but again, there was no way to tell anyone about it. Because of the nature of the guild, it was only logical that everyone would be spread out... so we couldn't even talk to each other through guild PM's. It completely ruined any image I had of the guild when I created it and it saddened me that such simple things aren't possible.

Summary:

• On tag members should be global across servers. Every on-tag member on every server should appear on the guild section on the playerlist. Should be able to communicate as well.
• Ability to post in-game messages and notices for the guild members to read. A bulletin board for all members, and a news section for leaders to post important news. If the guild CP is scripted into the client this may not be needed... but I still suggest something simpler and more accessible. Much like tabbed systems you see on many servers for news and hirings.
• Just more unification for guilds. There's no reason a guild should ever feel this disjointed.

Anyways, I think we should gather ideas for guilds so maybe they'll be improved... especially if they plan on working on them soon.

[Pimmeh]

Likey!
Seriously, I've been thinking about this stuff, but never came to a complete sentance :P
Support!
And it shouldnt be THAT hard, should it?

[Admins]

Hmmm for the playerlist thing we could make it so that you automatically watch the guild globally when you join it. Currently you need to double-click on your guild name in the global guild list.

Update: added a check when the guild name is changing (onPlayerChanges) and automatically let the player watch the guild globally. Please tell me if it's fine like that or if there are problems.

[DustyPorViva]

It seems to work... but you can only see other guild members in the guild tab. They're not being listed on the main playerlist under Guild and we still can't send and receive guild messages to each other.

[Admins]

For me it's showing "Stefan (VIP) (on Classic)" on the guilds tab, using the scripted playerlist though.
Update: seems to only work with the scripted playerlist, so we need to wait until the next Graal version to make that work (where the separate playerlist window is also using the scripted playerlist).
For the in-game message system, what stuff of the guild control panel should be accessible first ? (url/functionality)

[DustyPorViva]

Definitely the discussion board. It's very, very hard to get news across to the guild.
I'd also like some sort of news system where those with privileges can post news, and some sort of icon that blinks when there is new news. Either that, or have it so anytime there is a new stickied post in the discussion board, there is some sort of blinking icon so the player knows there is news to be read.

[kia345]

An entire in-game Guild CP maybe? Or at least an in-game browser that's limited to the Guild CP.

[Admins]

I've added a test script on "login2" which shows a window with links to the last 10 topics on the guilds panel, also showing a different icon depending on if there are new messages.
Login to "login2", then to your favourite server, and set your guild tag. There will appear a new button in the task bar. Please tell me if you like that, and ideas about what could be improved or added.

[Tigairius]

Originally Posted by Stefan

I've added a test script on "login2" which shows a window with links to the last 10 topics on the guilds panel, also showing a different icon depending on if there are new messages.
Login to "login2", then to your favourite server, and set your guild tag. There will appear a new button in the task bar. Please tell me if you like that, and ideas about what could be improved or added.

Nice It would be nicer if we didn't have to go to the website and log in though..

[Desear]

I like it, and as Tig stated would be nicer if you could post and view them without logging into the site.


Would be very cool if you could somehow incorporate the Guild CP itself into the actual game, could make use of another "F#" key, or maybe have it on the task bar, "Guild CP" or something.

[kia345]

Originally Posted by Stefan

I've added a test script on "login2" which shows a window with links to the last 10 topics on the guilds panel, also showing a different icon depending on if there are new messages.
Login to "login2", then to your favourite server, and set your guild tag. There will appear a new button in the task bar. Please tell me if you like that, and ideas about what could be improved or added.

This is hot.

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by Stefan

I've added a test script on "login2" which shows a window with links to the last 10 topics on the guilds panel, also showing a different icon depending on if there are new messages.
Login to "login2", then to your favourite server, and set your guild tag. There will appear a new button in the task bar. Please tell me if you like that, and ideas about what could be improved or added.

It needs the headers (Topic, Author, Posts, Views, Last Post) at the top, and the dark yellow font isn't really attractive for the hyperlinks to the threads. Local tags are an issue.. nothing special but they're showing the previously set guild's threads with the title of the local tag.

There are tons of things that could make guilds 100% better, but I honestly don't think this is one of them, it kind of takes the purpose from the website. Now all the website is used for is registrations, and that really pisses me off to be honest.

[Admins]

Originally Posted by Rufus

There are tons of things that could make guilds 100 percent better, but I honestly don't think this is one of them, it kind of takes the purpose from the website. Now all the website is used for is registrations, and that really pisses me off to be honest.

Um why exactly? I've made this tool because people have requested it. It's telling you when there is a new post made on the guilds forum, and you can click on the thread to watch it. We could also add links / buttons for the other parts of the guild panel.

I'm not sure why you say it pisses you off that the website is only used for registrations. Actually you can also create an account within the game (or even simply by inviting a friend). Everything important is done by Graal anyway, the website is only an interface to it.

[cbk1994]

Originally Posted by Stefan

it pisses you off

olol

It would be nice if the entire control panel could be put into the game, that way it is easier to keep guilds together. Imagine a private IRC server that can be opened on any server (Imagine an IRC window that can be opened on any server that lets you chat with anyone in the server, join separate channels, or join their guild on every server, also can be scripted so server can add channels).

Basically a way to unite guilds better. I think the IRC like I said, or even global toguild messages. Most successful guilds are all on one server, such as Cherry, etc, since there is little way to communicate.

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Um why exactly? I've made this tool because people have requested it. It's telling you when there is a new post made on the guilds forum, and you can click on the thread to watch it. We could also add links / buttons for the other parts of the guild panel.

I'm not sure why you say it pisses you off that the website is only used for registrations.

The suggestions Dusty made are good, but the suggestions made towards the in-game Guild CP are probably due to the fact that it was already planned to make it in-game. Personally I feel with local guilds, staff guilds and local guilds acting as other means (Kingdoms, Gangs, Nations) the guild CP is going to be extremely inconsistent with a lot of the other servers content if it is in game. A lot of the local guilds have custom interfaces that don't match the guild interface, but they're essentially the same thing -- it's annoying how disjointed everything is. This is why I believe the global guilds should stay as a part of a website-only interface.

The website is so incredibly disjointed from the client, and things probably shouldn't be made on the client because it's more convenient to add. Ziro you musn't be looking at many games, because in online gaming, it's rare to find websites that are poorly constructed and lack feature development while gaining and retaining a strong playerbase. Granted, many of their subscribers play for the high-quality in-game content itself, but most of the games have their interfaces for features like guilds on their websites.

The Graal website should act achieve 3 goals, especially in a marketing sense.

1. Connect users to game content and features
2. Drive sales
3. Build customer (and potential customer) databases

The website is currently being rendered obsolete, but it is a massive tool that should be turning casual browsers into consumers. Other games utilize their sites much better, and return visits to their site it adds to the gameplay itself and works more as a community function. Content is an accelerator for this, and Graal's website currently has next to nothing, other than of course the guild panel.

Originally Posted by Stefan

Actually you can also create an account within the game (or even simply by inviting a friend). Everything important is done by Graal anyway, the website is only an interface to it.

Features such as inviting a friend usually happens when you've first discovered a game, I highly doubt anyone has invited a friend using the client, because that is generally when they're more immersed in the game itself. Inviting a friend would be a more distinguishable call-to-action situated on the website, not the client.

Hell, if I'm wrong I'm wrong but over the last few years I was a big guild-orientated player and I never had an issue with the guild control panel being on the website, and wouldn't find it any more convenient in game. It's my personal opinion though, I just feel as though everything is being done so they can be edited easier, but that doesn't necessarily make them better. Just my opinion.