Why do Guilds fail?
Rocky Raccoon
Some guilds seem to have staying power yet others seem to be fleeting. I am looking for opinions on why some seem to prosper while other just disappear. What are the main problems of the ones that fail and what do the lasting guilds do that keeps them going?
Medion
Inactivity...if half the guild goes inactive it's not as much fun for the other half of the guild anymore. Obviously you could recruit by spamming in towns, but why would you want to do that?
Sofonisba
Like Medion said, inactivity is a large factor, but there's nothing you can do about people not playing anymore.
Other things which (I assume) contribute to guilds failing are: non-responsive officers/leader; lack of basic organization; one obnoxious guild member running amok making people leave; indiscriminate recruitment/promotion; false promises and expectations.
Guilds that stay together and/or keep growing are made up of people who either a) know each other in real life from the start or b) have gotten to know each other through the game. They continue to be interested in playing the game, and want to play with one another, chat, fool around, help out, support, etc.
Other things which (I assume) contribute to guilds failing are: non-responsive officers/leader; lack of basic organization; one obnoxious guild member running amok making people leave; indiscriminate recruitment/promotion; false promises and expectations.
Guilds that stay together and/or keep growing are made up of people who either a) know each other in real life from the start or b) have gotten to know each other through the game. They continue to be interested in playing the game, and want to play with one another, chat, fool around, help out, support, etc.
C noob
I have recently moved from a very small guild who has a Guild leader
with tremendous knowledge of the game. Helpful too, give you items as well.
Sounds Good? Eh? We had good players who wanted to gvg and pvp.
But, guild Boss only likes PVE and getting titles.
All it took one day was for one mission of him "Instructing" some of us one
time too many and the members dropped off.Even his son left the guild.
The ones that were on everyday.This is where some of us lose interrest.
For me, I get online to Farm Greens/AB/and PVE.
But listen well...Keeping the game fun is by not instructing the same people
(you normaly play with) over and over in missions that they have done
manytimes before.
When you get new people extend yourselves to them make it fun. If you run
into people who dont know the game most will try to learn. Make it ok to fail
in pvp or whatever.
Joke abt it even.When some of us as officers or guild leaders take
the game too seriously it can quickly kill the interest newcomers and vets as
well.
with tremendous knowledge of the game. Helpful too, give you items as well.
Sounds Good? Eh? We had good players who wanted to gvg and pvp.
But, guild Boss only likes PVE and getting titles.
All it took one day was for one mission of him "Instructing" some of us one
time too many and the members dropped off.Even his son left the guild.
The ones that were on everyday.This is where some of us lose interrest.
For me, I get online to Farm Greens/AB/and PVE.
But listen well...Keeping the game fun is by not instructing the same people
(you normaly play with) over and over in missions that they have done
manytimes before.
When you get new people extend yourselves to them make it fun. If you run
into people who dont know the game most will try to learn. Make it ok to fail
in pvp or whatever.
Joke abt it even.When some of us as officers or guild leaders take
the game too seriously it can quickly kill the interest newcomers and vets as
well.
Darkpower Alchemist
My guild has been in existence now for 21 months. My core members are still the same. That was a big factor in staying power,imho. Also, I don't usually recruit at this point, unless it's someone I have played with regularly.
My officers may recruit in different ways, but usually the scream in towns theme gets you the guys that leave when the guild leader logs off. I don't encourage that mass recruitment theoligy. I say get people who like to play the game and are genuinely interested in your guild and its members.
I'm a serious guild leader, and as such, I let my officers do the recruiting, and I intervene when needed. I have 1 officer who is a "social butterfly". She handles most recruiting. That doesn't mean we always agree, but it definitely helps that I mind the business of being leader while she does what she does best, and that's being social.
In recent, some of my core officers have expressed the lack of desire to play, but after nearly 2 yrs, that is to be expected. Most of my members have been around now for 4-8 months, and my alliance has done some major changing since its beginings. I still have a steady alliance member who requests that my guild stays as lead guild, so I must be doing something right,I guess. Though I prefer to think small guilds are best, due to the fact that everyone has an identity, and in a large guild that isn't always recognized. Medium/small(25-35 members) guilds like mine are awesome with the right people in them. The problem of inactivity is always there, even with officers, but with solid fellowship and a strong Leader/Officers pool, a guild can stay strong and moderately active. Another problem is if people are in different timezones. That will certainly effect the membership. Most of my officers are either EST or PST, so that helps when I'm not on, yet I'm on at all times of the day and night when I'm not at work.
If the officers and the leader aren't on regularly, then the guild will fall apart without a doubt.
So, the major things that keep a guild together,imho, are consistency, strong leadership, and a friendly approach to members.
My officers may recruit in different ways, but usually the scream in towns theme gets you the guys that leave when the guild leader logs off. I don't encourage that mass recruitment theoligy. I say get people who like to play the game and are genuinely interested in your guild and its members.
I'm a serious guild leader, and as such, I let my officers do the recruiting, and I intervene when needed. I have 1 officer who is a "social butterfly". She handles most recruiting. That doesn't mean we always agree, but it definitely helps that I mind the business of being leader while she does what she does best, and that's being social.
In recent, some of my core officers have expressed the lack of desire to play, but after nearly 2 yrs, that is to be expected. Most of my members have been around now for 4-8 months, and my alliance has done some major changing since its beginings. I still have a steady alliance member who requests that my guild stays as lead guild, so I must be doing something right,I guess. Though I prefer to think small guilds are best, due to the fact that everyone has an identity, and in a large guild that isn't always recognized. Medium/small(25-35 members) guilds like mine are awesome with the right people in them. The problem of inactivity is always there, even with officers, but with solid fellowship and a strong Leader/Officers pool, a guild can stay strong and moderately active. Another problem is if people are in different timezones. That will certainly effect the membership. Most of my officers are either EST or PST, so that helps when I'm not on, yet I'm on at all times of the day and night when I'm not at work.
If the officers and the leader aren't on regularly, then the guild will fall apart without a doubt.
So, the major things that keep a guild together,imho, are consistency, strong leadership, and a friendly approach to members.
Nilator
Inactivity and bad leadership, IMO.
Age
It is so easy to go off and make you own guild is one reason and for the most part they may just not like the leader or the Name of the guild.It really has nothing to do with inactivety .I would look at the big ladder Guild of Treachouse Empire TE they placed really good on the ladder untill they crumbled and fell apart.It is still together but it is not the same and they were like Idiot Savants IQ.They were often neck and neck with each other on the ladder.
I would say if it is easy for a big PvP that does GvG to crumble it is way easier for a PvE guild to fail.I have been a leader for over 2 years and have had my share of leavers who I teach the game to and know a lot about builds.When this starts to happen it burns a leader out and it says this game has problem with retaining guilds.Those guilds that formed in beta 80% of them are no more and most were pvp oriented.
I would say if it is easy for a big PvP that does GvG to crumble it is way easier for a PvE guild to fail.I have been a leader for over 2 years and have had my share of leavers who I teach the game to and know a lot about builds.When this starts to happen it burns a leader out and it says this game has problem with retaining guilds.Those guilds that formed in beta 80% of them are no more and most were pvp oriented.
Xiaxhou of Trinity
I think this should be stickied but not closed, more feedback on this topic would greatly advise new guilds and old guilds alike.
sticky pls
/signed
sticky pls
/signed
Cjad the Nord
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by C noob
I have recently moved from a very small guild who has a Guild leader with tremendous knowledge of the game. Helpful too, give you items as well. Sounds Good? Eh? We had good players who wanted to gvg and pvp. But, guild Boss only likes PVE and getting titles. All it took one day was for one mission of him "Instructing" some of us one time too many and the members dropped off.Even his son left the guild. |
Small guilds can work, and very well. I'm currently loving our 11 member strong existence.
Div
A small group that can stand playing guild wars with each other for long periods of time...or a large guild that keeps refreshing its members once they lose interest in the game is the way to get a guild to not fail.
ichigo_panty
1) Leader has no control over members
2) Inactive members
3) Drama
4) No regular guild bonding/getalong events
5) No common aims/goals
2) Inactive members
3) Drama
4) No regular guild bonding/getalong events
5) No common aims/goals
Moxy79
The biggest problem that Ive seen in the guilds that I have been in/led is this. It is REALLY hard to find people who want to do anything...you have 500 people looking for guilds but what happens when they get into one?...um nothing...they dont talk...they dont participate in events. The only ones that usually do are the officers. We always recruited under the shotgun principle....invite anyone and everything...and out of 500...you'll get one good one.
"Look and Leavers" really annoy me because they join a guild look at it for 2 seconds and bail. And USUALLY they arent that good to begin with. They are looking for instant fame. Oooh if i hop into a 400 rank guild of COURSE it'll automatically make me good. Instead of giving things a chance and seeing if the people in the guild mesh well with you.
The best guilds out there (and yes im stereotyping) are made up of RL friends or people who play other games.
Which by the way is a good way to keep a guild interesting...hold a Battlefield 2 night...a counterstrike night...something along that lines...it breaks up the monotony and provides interest.
"Look and Leavers" really annoy me because they join a guild look at it for 2 seconds and bail. And USUALLY they arent that good to begin with. They are looking for instant fame. Oooh if i hop into a 400 rank guild of COURSE it'll automatically make me good. Instead of giving things a chance and seeing if the people in the guild mesh well with you.
The best guilds out there (and yes im stereotyping) are made up of RL friends or people who play other games.
Which by the way is a good way to keep a guild interesting...hold a Battlefield 2 night...a counterstrike night...something along that lines...it breaks up the monotony and provides interest.
Sofonisba
Now that I think on it, I feel I have to append my original answer. Not to get all Bill Clinton or anything, but it sort of depends on your definition of “fail.”
The particular reason any person leaves a guild, will not necessarily be the guild’s downfall or indication of future failure. IE, change in guild focus, bossy guild leader, whatever. It’s only the reason one person leaves--which potentially can be an institutional problem, but many times also merely an irreconcilable difference between member and guild.
Under an arbitrary definition of “failure” I’m going to make up right now, a guild can only be said to fail when the last active member gives up on it and /disbands.
The particular reason any person leaves a guild, will not necessarily be the guild’s downfall or indication of future failure. IE, change in guild focus, bossy guild leader, whatever. It’s only the reason one person leaves--which potentially can be an institutional problem, but many times also merely an irreconcilable difference between member and guild.
Under an arbitrary definition of “failure” I’m going to make up right now, a guild can only be said to fail when the last active member gives up on it and /disbands.
Vorianatriedes
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Age
It is so easy to go off and make you own guild is one reason and for the most part they may just not like the leader or the Name of the guild.It really has nothing to do with inactivety .I would look at the big ladder Guild of Treachouse Empire TE they placed really good on the ladder untill they crumbled and fell apart.It is still together but it is not the same and they were like Idiot Savants IQ.They were often neck and neck with each other on the ladder.
I would say if it is easy for a big PvP that does GvG to crumble it is way easier for a PvE guild to fail.I have been a leader for over 2 years and have had my share of leavers who I teach the game to and know a lot about builds.When this starts to happen it burns a leader out and it says this game has problem with retaining guilds.Those guilds that formed in beta 80% of them are no more and most were pvp oriented. |
sir lockt
Since I disbandoned my guild this morning after 18 months I think I can be considered an "experience expert". First of all we had about 15 active months of this time excistance... why?
1) Friends and common goal
When we started this guild we did this with some of the best ingame friends we had. We shared a common goal and we all decided on giving up "rapid" promotions towards more established guilds and choice to build one ourselves.
2) Recruitment is very important. We did spam recruitment in the past, which made the bulk of our "less-active" members. My more preferred method was through proper introduction to our guild. Never promise people what you cannot give. And sometimes you fail in meeting expectations and sometimes people have wrong ones. If somebody leaves, get over it.
3) Build relationship, stimulate playing together, doing things together and most important have fun in what you do!
Why did it fail in the end?
1) lost interest, Some people will lose interest some people just want something different. In our case it where mostly GW leavers.
2) leadership transition, people believe if a leader is less active and searching for a new position something bad is going on and take conclusions of it.
3) People look for easy options, if it is hard for a guild to get 100 rank up, they switch to a guild which is already there.
4) Leadership, like point 2 points out leadership is very important. Without guidance many seems not be able to do things themselves or have the impression they cant.
All small things add up and result in some core leavers. In our case the core leavers had a valid point and made a decission leaving, which i can only respect them for. Finally this event resulted in an avalance of leavers, without reason effectively killing guild activity.
Finally this brings me to the end...
5) guilds disband, because it was good enough! Guilds need to fade out to be replaced by newer. And this doesnt need to be for the better, but it is how it works. Accept it if your guild collapses, dont try find somebody to blame for it, try to keep the fun in the game... wherever you go
You dont want your guild to be disbanded?
Just DONT PvP then
Regards
1) Friends and common goal
When we started this guild we did this with some of the best ingame friends we had. We shared a common goal and we all decided on giving up "rapid" promotions towards more established guilds and choice to build one ourselves.
2) Recruitment is very important. We did spam recruitment in the past, which made the bulk of our "less-active" members. My more preferred method was through proper introduction to our guild. Never promise people what you cannot give. And sometimes you fail in meeting expectations and sometimes people have wrong ones. If somebody leaves, get over it.
3) Build relationship, stimulate playing together, doing things together and most important have fun in what you do!
Why did it fail in the end?
1) lost interest, Some people will lose interest some people just want something different. In our case it where mostly GW leavers.
2) leadership transition, people believe if a leader is less active and searching for a new position something bad is going on and take conclusions of it.
3) People look for easy options, if it is hard for a guild to get 100 rank up, they switch to a guild which is already there.
4) Leadership, like point 2 points out leadership is very important. Without guidance many seems not be able to do things themselves or have the impression they cant.
All small things add up and result in some core leavers. In our case the core leavers had a valid point and made a decission leaving, which i can only respect them for. Finally this event resulted in an avalance of leavers, without reason effectively killing guild activity.
Finally this brings me to the end...
5) guilds disband, because it was good enough! Guilds need to fade out to be replaced by newer. And this doesnt need to be for the better, but it is how it works. Accept it if your guild collapses, dont try find somebody to blame for it, try to keep the fun in the game... wherever you go
You dont want your guild to be disbanded?
Just DONT PvP then
Regards
Poison Ivy
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by sir lockt
You dont want your guild to be disbanded?
Just DONT PvP then Regards |
the_jos
There are several reasons I have seen so far in the game.
The number one is inactivity.
This one is closely followed by guilds that have people online, but don't play together.
Furtermore, lack of common goal is a killer. We lost a few good members because 'the guild' was moving towards PvP and they wanted to DoA.
The guild was too small to fit in both, so people could not team up and left.
This again can be seen as 'inactivity'.
I know leadership and powerplay can be problems, I have heard that from several people.
I think GvG / HA can be a problem if the guild is not able to put good teams together. Good players that are very competetive might leave for higher ranked guilds.
My current guild was founded in early December 2005, so I think it's one of the survivors.
The reason?
Good leadership, people work close together and know each other.
Also, a lot of the 'old guys/girls' went to play an other game, but the guild was able to continue (new blood is not always bad).
Also common goals and a lot of fun together.
We don't spam recruitment in game, and only once in a while on forums.
Most of the time we play with people and during the play they might get an invitation if we feel right.
One of the more important recruitment tools imho is the friends list.
If you play a lot with people together and like them, put them on friends list (I just ask if they don't mind). If you keep running into each other, it might be worth to ask how they feel about changing guilds.
I know one or two members of LotU were already on my friends list before I joined.
The number one is inactivity.
This one is closely followed by guilds that have people online, but don't play together.
Furtermore, lack of common goal is a killer. We lost a few good members because 'the guild' was moving towards PvP and they wanted to DoA.
The guild was too small to fit in both, so people could not team up and left.
This again can be seen as 'inactivity'.
I know leadership and powerplay can be problems, I have heard that from several people.
I think GvG / HA can be a problem if the guild is not able to put good teams together. Good players that are very competetive might leave for higher ranked guilds.
My current guild was founded in early December 2005, so I think it's one of the survivors.
The reason?
Good leadership, people work close together and know each other.
Also, a lot of the 'old guys/girls' went to play an other game, but the guild was able to continue (new blood is not always bad).
Also common goals and a lot of fun together.
We don't spam recruitment in game, and only once in a while on forums.
Most of the time we play with people and during the play they might get an invitation if we feel right.
One of the more important recruitment tools imho is the friends list.
If you play a lot with people together and like them, put them on friends list (I just ask if they don't mind). If you keep running into each other, it might be worth to ask how they feel about changing guilds.
I know one or two members of LotU were already on my friends list before I joined.
Yanman.be
I join a pve guild, make it rank 500, and then leave. kjoo kjoo.
Sofonisba
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Yanman.be
I join a pve guild, make it rank 500, and then leave. kjoo kjoo.
|
… unless it is on-topic and the guilds fail after you leave? Lol jk
mikkel
Unless you're very lucky, or forming a new guild with people you already know, the typical player who is eligible for recruitment to your guild fits into the following;
1) Plays frequently
2) Not an idiot
3) Sociable
Pick two.
1) Plays frequently
2) Not an idiot
3) Sociable
Pick two.
evil joo
coming from personal experience, the BIGGEST reason why guild falls apart is due to:
1) Guild Inactivity
2) Some players do not understand that losing is OK, but sadly end up raging.
3) Losing/whining leads to guild drama.
Hence, most of the guilds that survive-- their leader/officers/members has established a relationship and understanding to not rage altogether.
1) Guild Inactivity
2) Some players do not understand that losing is OK, but sadly end up raging.
3) Losing/whining leads to guild drama.
Hence, most of the guilds that survive-- their leader/officers/members has established a relationship and understanding to not rage altogether.
KANE OG
Inactivity needs further examination. In my Guild, lots of inactivity was due to many people getting frustrated with anets nerf system.
KANE
KANE
Lumen
Personal experience
My Cookie Cutter answer:
Inactivity, Drama...
Even if all the members in your guild know each other, etc.. things don't always work out. Overall TEAM chemistry when playing together also plays a major role. There are players that aren't patient with guilds, and really are looking for an instant success.
My Cookie Cutter answer:
Inactivity, Drama...
Even if all the members in your guild know each other, etc.. things don't always work out. Overall TEAM chemistry when playing together also plays a major role. There are players that aren't patient with guilds, and really are looking for an instant success.
hhslf
My guild was pretty inactive, but we were all pretty good friends. So one day we decided to merge with the lead guild (witch is very active), and made a medium seized guild. Ive been in this guild for less than a month, but its the most fun Ive had in the game so far. From My experiences a strong relationship is #1.
eloc_jcg
Inactivity and willingness of the leader.
My guild has 50+ people and has recovered from a massive member wipe from someone kicking everyone out. If the leader puts time to recruit, you will have lots of members. Also, I kick people of 1 week inactive because people stay if the guild is active.
My guild has 50+ people and has recovered from a massive member wipe from someone kicking everyone out. If the leader puts time to recruit, you will have lots of members. Also, I kick people of 1 week inactive because people stay if the guild is active.