It is more then apparent that we, as a guild, cannot enter into just any game that is released. So before any expansion gets the nod there must be some work involved beforehand. As a guild we have always tried to become a valued member of that game's community, this is something that should be continued.
The following is an outline for which you, as a member of Virakar, can expand our guild into new games.
1) Have a new game you are interested in.
2) Gather information on that game.
3) See if fellow guildmates are interested, or even some of your real life friends.
4) Come up with a plan for our involvement in the game and inform the Elders.
Once your game has been accepted as a "possible future expansion" your game will be given a board. Now this does not mean your game will make it as an official expansion of Virakar. What will be expected to meet this status would be
basically a few things.
1) You must attain the interest of at least 10 current guild members.
-or-
Build up a large number of followers via that game's community.
2) Further the basic guild outline that was given in the application. What this basically means is refining such things as what races will be allowed, what faction the guild will be the part of, etc to the point where there is no
questions as to what that branch is all about.
The main focus of this phase is to prove that there is genuine interest by our members and a community for this game
is established. It also means that we as a guild feel that we are going to be represented in a new game in a manner that
is fitting. Being prepared is important when entering a new game.
Beta testing should be the time in which we decide an official branch is going to be established. It is advisable that
all members sign up for as many beta testings as they can, even if you are not interested in that game. The reason for
this is to provide a wide range of opinions on a game and if it is good enough for the Virakar name to grace. We will
provide a private board for our members in that beta to discuss that game in a manner that doesn't break a NDA.
Once two or more members are admitted into a particular beta this board will be established.
Now, I would like to point out at this point on the issue of leadership. Members who are in beta, naturally, would be
almost expected to lead a new branch in release due to their knowledge of that game. The member who expressed the
original "application" should also be allowed to be an IC member.
However, it should be noted that the Elders of this guild do have the right to oppose a member as an IC member in
expansions. This is to make sure we have the right people in the right places to best represent our guild. I don't foresee this as being a major problem however. Elders, due to their position in the guild, also have the right to be in the IC if they choose, but don't have to.
The final step that needs to be done is the vote by the Elders. Since the application has already been approved by the Elders odds are they will allow continuation of the branch. However, if the situation changes (i.e. if members lose interest or a strong foundation isn't established) the Elders can veto a game becoming an official branch.
So your game has passed the different phases needed to become an official branch, what happens next? There are a few things in which Virakar can help your branch move right along.
1) A branch website will be established on the Virakar server, based on the same general layout you can find on the main page.
2) This site will not be totally dictated by me (i.e. the webmaster), but the content, images, and general feel of the site will be given by the branch leaders. This can include as much or little as you choose.
3) We have always required an application process to join Virakar; this will be expected out of any expansions. Due to different game mechanics this could be as strict or loose as they need to be.
4) The expansion will be given a number of boards to manage the guild. The basic list of these boards include:
- News Board
- Open General Discussion
- Trading Board (Items, etc)
- Members Board (Members Only)
- IC Board (IC Only)
- Application Board (place to post applications for IC to view)
Yes, our branch boards have at least this many boards that most of you don't see. It helps to manage things. Boards can be added/deleted as needed.
I hope this will help explain how expansions will be handled. Note that some of these points may be changed and edited in
the future as seen fit.
Good luck!