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World of Warcraft: Evolving Guild Dynamics
Over the last few weeks I've noticed something I haven't seen in a couple of years in World of Warcraft. In the Trade channel, there's been a lot of advertising for new guilds. Not that advertising for guilds is new. What was unique to these Trade blasts was the type of guilds looking for new members.
A wave of social guilds surging on many of the normal and RP servers is a surprising turn.
Guild relations are an intriguing dynamic. Looking for members, you are never quite certain what to focus on. Is a website that important in the grand scheme of things? Should all guilds be required to have vent? Maybe the focus needs to be on what makes up the guild - the players.
Then, you have to decide what type of players your guild is seeking. Trouble was, if you weren't a raiding guild, you really had to search hard for a purpose. Gathering a bunch of players to your guild might be easy, but then what do you do with them? When Guild Achievements come online with Cataclysm it will give those less imaginative or less motivated GMs something to work with. It's a difficult task to entertain your members. That's why I believe raiding guilds are popular, it's easy entertainment.
Most of the larger or more popular guilds have been strictly raiding in recent years. With the Lich King expansion and more gear to be gathered, raiders have had the pick of guilds. Hardcore or casual, there is a guild out there waiting for a well-geared pally or discipline priest to join their ranks. Guilds that raid have the option to create a pond of players to pick and choose from when raiding, or they can set up a Black Ops style outfit with limited numbers all dedicated to their latest assault. Either style guild works well for raiders, giving them the option. Going with the large pond style, raiders can leisurely pick and choose where and when they join in. The only downfall to this system could be someone of lower rank in the guild might miss out on some choice gear. Raiders with a more militaristic guild set up know that they are always raiding and if they can't meet the schedule there's always the possibility of getting kicked from the guild.
Kudos go out to the dudes from The Instance podcast. These guys, and their compliment of guild leaders, manage to keep a handle on one of the most ginormous guilds in North America. With a crazy number of members (over 5000) right now, these guys somehow keep there guildies happy and more begging to join all the time.
Raiding guilds need strong leadership. You're dealing with personalities you typically know only in the game. Leaders should set down concrete rules if they want the guild to run smoothly and succeed. Know that with any guild, you're going to have people leave. Actually, this is standard advice for any guild. Have your rules in place before you start recruiting. Players will come and go and you can't take it personally. For whatever reason, they will go. It's up to guild to have a plan when a handful of your best raiders bail for greener grass and make sure they aren't doing a ninja on your bank when they exit.
