Guild Emblems

So, now that we've got the toggleable capes, I would like to further our entusiasm by suggesting another improvement in Guild representations.

Capes are a good start, but I agree with other posts and threads: there needs to be some more individuality between guilds. I suggesta shift in focus of the guild cape. As it is now, there is a selection of emblems, shapes and colors to choose from. That's great, but it's far too difficult to separate one guild from another. I recommend some more options. Guilds, after all, were designed to unify similar people with similar skills as well as develop those skills, separating and specializing themselves from other guilds and artisans.

I like the idea of adding Cloaks as an option. In history, capes were designed as items of prestige and royalty (was a ceremonial peice), not to be used practically. Capes fit with guilds because guild members generally didn't leave the shelter of the city, and even then, capes were rarely worn (unless someone was trying to make a statement) during travel. A Cloak however, was often times worn over or in liu of a cape. Cloaks worn in liu of capes were sometimes emblemed with the same symbol found on the cape. A Cloak not only has a more practical application, but also can add an element of mystery to a guild or individual player. In addition, allowing members to decide if they would prefer a cape or a Cloak would add an element of individualism to the players, but still unify them under the emblem of their guild.

This would require a focus on guild emblems. The current selection of emblems just does not meet the demand for new guilds. Simply put, the emblems need more individualism and customization. For exampe, one emblem crosses a rose with a rapier. When visiting the Emblemer to create your guild cape, it would create greater possibilities if each individual component was selectable and combinable. That way the rose could be combined with the skull, or the rapier with the tankard, or the skull with the tankard, and so on. Each component then, could have its own color associated with it.

My argument is this: it is too difficult to tell guilds from one another. And while Guild Wars has already set the bar for the greatest gaming potential, should ANET not act on that potential that would set them far and away above the compettition, could ultimately be thier destruction ('cause I garauntee that someone else will capitalize on it). Individuality is what makes the game so appealing (among other things) and replayable. Not everyone in a guild is the same, so there should be some minor options available to guild members, and Not every guild is the same, so more options in guild identifications are necessary.

What do you guys (and or girls) think?

also maybe importing your own images onto your cloak/cape?
cloaks sound good and if anet does cloaks they should do a hide emote where you cover yourself with your cloak and put the hood on

Perhaps, with the assistance of such programs as paint, it would be possible to create your own emblems, or even put pictures on them.

Having hoods is a good idea also because maybe apart from warriors and rangers many of us feel that our head accessory is not good enough

Just had an idea - sorry if this diverts from topic, but, it's about recognising guilds - in gvgs, and tombs teams that count as guilds, the ghostly hero (in tombs) or perhaps a certain member of the party could carry attached to their back a guild standard, with the emblem/ picture and name logo on it, or maybe even something on top of it like an eagle or somethin
it wouldnt restrict the carrier at all, and it would only be visible to enemies so as not to obstruct the carrier's view.
I thought maybe that might spice up guild recognition a bit

i think that your guild emblem should be toggleable on your shield and/or cuirass... just an opinion.

I can give you a one word reason for why they will never allow people to import cape/cloak emblem images: tubgirl.

but with this we would get sickos with naked pics who might offend some people or just dum ass pics

/signed

I would love this, love this with all my heart. But no importing pics, for reasons already stated. Maybe a Paint-like program within the game, for creation of your own emblems?

I like the idea of being able to combine your own items to create your cape. Combining pre-made drawings would be nice. /signed

If the cape pictures you submit go through a moderating team that looks at it, and if it costs a lot, or the requirements are very high, like for example being in a top 500 guild, there won't be much abuse.

Would probably lead to spam, but like you said, if there is a Rank requirement, it would be possible.

Going through a moderation process I've no problems with, but if it requires that your guild requires a certain ranking then we have problems. Many players are avid PvE players and want nothing to do with the PvP community. Also, there are guilds that simply do tombs and don't GvG.

Bad enough we already have rank which promotes elitism, but unique capes if you're good at the game?

I'm with the OP though, that it can be difficult at times to have the unique feel. Nothing worst than every other person having the flames along the side of their cape with that neat looking sword in the center. The thought of having this mysterious cloak intrigues me as well.

Also, perhaps there could be some sort of way to find out what the full name of somebody's guild is. Perhaps if you clicked on their tag, it could display the full name or something. I once partied with three players that all had the guild tag PNOY, but none of them were in the same guild.

or at least prevent the same 4 letter tag from being reused...

This is a great idea. I've been throwing around the idea of importing your own emblems in to use on the cape, and think it would be an excellent way of customizing and setting apart your guild from others.

Well, what about the guilds that have very common 2 letter tags like SC or TS? It'd still be nice to have some sort of identification.

In writing the OP I thought about importable emblems, but realized as quickly as you all have that there is too much room for offensive or abusive content. That's why I came up with combining ANET pre-made images. There should also be more to choose from. Realistically, moderating imported content I imagine is too costly an endevor for ANET. It would pretty much require an entirely new set of staff members just to review the imports, and seeing as how we don't have to pay a subscription fee... where's the money going to come from to pay these guys?

I like the suggestion of being able to display the guild emblem on a shield or other item. I don't know about toggleable though. You can take a cape or cloak off, but you can't really de-acid etch metal. I think if you want a guild emblem on an item, it should be a permanent adjustment, or at the very least like the dye system. You would take your item to the emblemer and, for a price, they would put your guild emblem on the item. This would not replace the cape/cloak but be in addition to them.