Hands of Justice

What we have played => Star Wars: The Old Republic => Topic started by: Kurtt on March 12, 2012, 12:45:39 PM

Title: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Kurtt on March 12, 2012, 12:45:39 PM
Ok.

Lots of talk going on about the future of HoJ, and whether its worth jumping ship to another big guild. I understand this.

However, I'm wondering whether it might be a good idea to merge with a couple of smaller guilds to create a new, bigger guild.

I've been talking to a couple of guys from The Last Alliance (who we allied with in pre-launch), and they've expressed interest in a guild merger with them and Circle of Trust. I've not spoken to either guild leadership about this, just everyday members.

So, if this was feasible, how would you, the guild, feel about creating a new guild with TLA and CoT called, wait for it, Antarian Rangers?

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Antarian_Rangers (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Antarian_Rangers)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Chug on March 12, 2012, 12:48:15 PM
I think I would actually re-roll a Trooper and pay you guys a visit now and again if this happens :p

Only reason i dont play my consular is that it's boring as hell
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Mangala on March 12, 2012, 12:49:26 PM
Jedi line is awful in general imo (too goody tooshoes, and the dark options are douchey not evil).
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Caradir on March 12, 2012, 12:49:54 PM
id be fine with that i raided in LOTRO with both groups and they are like minded old gits.

My thoughts anyways were to approaching them as to my individual direction so this is even better ;)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Mangala on March 12, 2012, 12:50:35 PM
Do they play eve?

/me needs more fodder for the fodder gods.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Caradir on March 12, 2012, 12:57:03 PM
Jedi line is awful in general imo (too goody tooshoes, and the dark options are douchey not evil).

dont get me started on Jedi stories

Consular
Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoilers content.

Knight
Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoilers content.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Caradir on March 12, 2012, 12:57:25 PM
Do they play eve?

/me needs more fodder for the fodder gods.

must resist temptations
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Clostridium on March 12, 2012, 02:39:56 PM
Me, as a nooby in guild, dont have a real say or opinion in this matter. I would love to explore the end-game content of SWTOR and we need a guild to do it. One way or another. Recruit or merge. I like it so far in HoJ and would love to stay so do what needs to be done. If there is anything i can help with in this process please ask. I'll do my best to see it done.

Cheers Clost
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Caradir on March 12, 2012, 02:43:21 PM
Me, as a nooby in guild, dont have a real say or opinion in this matter. I would love to explore the end-game content of SWTOR and we need a guild to do it. One way or another. Recruit or merge. I like it so far in HoJ and would love to stay so do what needs to be done. If there is anything i can help with in this process please ask. I'll do my best to see it done.

Cheers Clost

of course you have a say matey, we appreciate any input or opinions you have  ;)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Goatboy on March 12, 2012, 02:43:48 PM
Yeah dude, everyone has a say. Not just the handful of grumpy gits that has been in HoJ for far too long. :D

I think the lack of numbers to explore endgame content will be an issue for everyone at some point. Even though the game offers a good single player experience.

I've already been chatting about it with Kurtt and Mangala on Mumble and it does seem that a fusion of several like minded guilds into one larger new guild seems one of the best options.

Resurrecting HoJ (apparently we had 150 unique people once o_O) can be done, but would require proper effort from numerous people (i.e. not just Kurttwubbles  ;D). And I personally think that's going to be a toughie since we're all dealing with RL things or other game time investments one way or the other.

If TLA and COT share the same mindset and some of us have been in TLA in LOTRO, I'm all up for talking to them.

I do think for the vibe to be good, it's something that should not take too much discussion or convincing on the side of any guild involved.
Both for the enjoyment of the game on the short term (so we have more people to play with quickly) and for the general well being of the new guild on the longer term.
Either way, even with 3 guilds (or whatever number) merging, the guild will need TLC. So that means active recruitment and organised events. But at least there will be a larger pool of people build on for stuff like that.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: hadron on March 12, 2012, 03:47:50 PM
Hi there, I was talking to Kurtt about this a few days ago and earlier today, I'm one of the members of TLA and although we are not dead by any means now is the right time to inject some new life. I personally (and it is my personal opinion only) favour either a merger or a migration to a new guild. Right now there are quite a few smaller guilds realising that with the loss of a few players they are never going to be 16man ops ready and may struggle with 8. Without our current alliance with CoT we wouldnt be running EV, though so far our progress has been mixed, its all learning :)

I want to see something happen soon, this week, or imo, those of us who are looking for a bigger group to work with will simply move on
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: hadron on March 12, 2012, 04:02:25 PM
btw, that name truly sucks!
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Goatboy on March 12, 2012, 04:04:55 PM
btw, that name truly sucks!

Is that Kurtt's enrage timer I hear?

Scuse me. *hides*

Seriously though, cheers for taking the time to sign up and post. :)
Glad to hear there's a sense of urgency for you personally as well.

How's the alliance with COT gone so far? Getting along? Same mindset?
All I know is Caradir and Kurtt have been in TLA in LOTRO. No clue about COT. So looking for a comparison. :)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: hadron on March 12, 2012, 04:33:17 PM
Hey, yeah alliance with CoT works really well, basically we are all a bunch of grumpy old gits! :)

But at the end of the day we are just making life harder for ourselves in the name of preserving a guild identity (which imo is that of a guild without a long term future unless it gains numbers). There are few guild features in game, there are no alliance features and none planned. When the new features, such as a guild bank, etc do land it would be nice to have a decent number of people to use them

In reality what will happen here is either some form of merge will take place or those of us who want something more will just move on or end up forming annother guild with too few to make it work long term.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Goatboy on March 12, 2012, 04:50:47 PM
Yeah from the people who have voiced their opinion so far over here, we think about it the same way.
I do want to point out though that even after a merge, new blood is needed on a regular basis as people will drop from swtor either way. A new fusion guild isn't a magical fix for normal guild member lifespan.  ;D
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Taith on March 12, 2012, 05:21:11 PM
A new fusion guild isn't a magical fix for normal guild member lifespan.  ;D

Combine a form of fusion with an entire race of humans stuck in pods, wired up as batteries and living in a virtual world, on the other hand...
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Mangala on March 12, 2012, 05:30:10 PM
EVE is the matrix?
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: hadron on March 12, 2012, 05:34:51 PM
nope its not a magical cure, but right now I doubt any of our guilds look great to a new recruit, those of us active are at end game so we wont be very noob friendly (of course we all try but in this game more than nay other its a walk over to level up) and any one looking for a guild strong or even present at end game may want more than 'failed at Ev normal' :D

It also helps PvP wise, right now 3 or more of us could be in the same war zone and no one would notice (unless we suck or are uber) but if we were one guild, we roll stronger :)

IMO its got to be worth exploring the options
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Goatboy on March 12, 2012, 05:38:55 PM
True, true and deffo. :)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Caradir on March 12, 2012, 06:12:09 PM
i like an amalgam of us all anyways

p.s. we did EV normal 1st attempt, jealous ;P

i do think the hardest aspect is not wishing to lose a guild identity we may have held for many years , so a new name would prob be best for everyone IMO

Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Taith on March 12, 2012, 07:06:07 PM
EVE is the matrix?

I can't tell you. You have to see it for yourself.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: hadron on March 13, 2012, 12:00:19 PM

p.s. we did EV normal 1st attempt, jealous ;P


haha!

yes :)

But partly thats the drive behind me wanting to do this, though with 2 in TLA online last night (3 in total but 2 max at a time) it may be impossible.

LOTRO implemented a new area, I went to check in this morning, sure enough a few TLA are back there, which is fine. But we really need to sort things out.

I ran Esseles HM with CoT last night and they are discussing options, much the same feeling as here, too few regulars to make their own guild sustainable. But also, like TLA I expect, some resistance to change. Interestingly someone commented on the overall drop in numbers on Frostclaw, worryingly I've thought the same.

I think in game is the place to talk about this, lets be honest, if you're not in game, as interesting and valid as your opinion is, its not as important as those who are there, playing. I cant see a way to get people commenting in one web forum, mostly TLA dont bother with their own. So, I propose we create a new chat channel in game and we all get as many of our members to join it and lets see if this is worth progressing.

When I get in game I will try to create 'The Trusted Justice Alliance' TJA chat channel (you lot can debate names later, I will too, but we can call it HelloKittyWorld for all I care right now, its not important)

If you agree, lets get everyone into it and over the next days lets see what, if anything, we cna sort out, if nothing else, we will pull our 3 guilds a bit closer, it may be enough. Personally I think we need to roll as one guild, but lets see :)

I posted this in TLA http://swthelastalliance.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=438385&TabID=3744731&TopicID=10063961&ForumID=2114024#forumEnd (http://swthelastalliance.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=438385&TabID=3744731&TopicID=10063961&ForumID=2114024#forumEnd)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Mangala on March 13, 2012, 12:05:59 PM
Just an FYI if and when (Id like to hope when) this goes live.

I have 250 slot mumble server you can camp on for comms too ;)

(its used mostly by folks here and 100+ guys from eve every weekend :D)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Caradir on March 13, 2012, 12:07:58 PM
good idea lets chat and sort "something" out ;)

*i was just about to mail Jon and see if we could use mumble to chat rather than type, but he beat me to it*
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Goatboy on March 13, 2012, 12:16:21 PM
Mumble details:

http://www.handsofjustice.co.uk/mumble (http://www.handsofjustice.co.uk/mumble) (no trailing slash)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Caradir on March 13, 2012, 12:17:19 PM
Mumble details:

http://www.handsofjustice.co.uk/mumble (http://www.handsofjustice.co.uk/mumble) (no trailing slash)

goatboy is our mumble whore, just dont go near the glory hole ;)
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Kurtt on March 13, 2012, 12:26:20 PM
I echo your sentiments really Hadron, as you know from our in game discussions.

I'm stuck at the office right now, but once I get home, I'll be glad to join any chat channel and discuss stuff further.

I was chatting with Xini (CoTs GM) last night for a while, and he/she is quite keen to move ahead with a talks to merge and supportive of the idea, but has put it up for debate for the CoT members, and wants to get their opinions first.

If we can pull it off, it will all be jolly exciting.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Goatboy on March 13, 2012, 12:48:54 PM
I think everyone has the same sentiment regarding their current guild as far as HoJ and TLA concerned. Haven't heard/read anything from CoT yet.
And I think it's important to realize that it's by no means definite.

HoJ will stay around outside swtor. And won't be disbanded ingame either, even if it's only a few new alts staying behind.
What I'm trying to say is, in the end we can see it as an experiment as well. Nothing definite. If that makes things easier to 'let go'.

TLA and COT have HM's (9pm, all other days) and Ops (8/9pm fri/sat) planned.
I'd suggest we see if we can tag along with those if there's room this week to get the ball rolling. Times might be a bit tight for the GMT+1ers.

The new guild thing is just picking a name (oi vey...) and moving everyone in. As for that matter... picking a name shouldn't be a democracy. We would never get it sorted. If we go with the council idea for the new guild, containing a leading rep from each current guild, let them sort it out.

At the end of the day, we all just want more people to play with that we can rely upon to be a bit better than random pugs. Make new friends. Help eachother out. And get the most out of the game.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: hadron on March 13, 2012, 01:13:56 PM
I think its very likely people will want to retain the current in game guilds for alts, I sort of see this joint venture more aimed at the end game groups (which anyone that wants to get to can do so pretty quickly, though I strongly advise people to make sure they see all the scenery).

To my mind although the republic/empire split was obvious it has divided the community without actually dividing it at all. What i mean is its made it a real pain to have toons on both sides and to play with your friends while failing pathetically to do anything it was set up to do. I'm sure there have been evenings when we have had people on the dark side and if they had know there were folks on the light side we would have gotten together (switching over) and made enough for an OP.

Ive created TJA as a chat channel, will try to get TLA into it later, Im sure it will take a day or two though
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Goatboy on March 13, 2012, 01:21:15 PM
How do you join a chat channel >_>

[edit]

/cjoin TJA

Then you can go to a tab > chat settings > check bottom of list and channel should be listed if joined succesfully.
In my case /4 then allows me to type in TJA.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Kurtt on March 13, 2012, 01:24:34 PM
/cjoin TJA
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: hadron on March 13, 2012, 01:33:37 PM
with regard to FP or OP times, they flex, I set the FP's at a time that suits me, I can usually be around earlier just more prone to child related interruptions :) I think there is quite a mix of people and locations so with greater numbers I would expect it to be possible (for FP's) to do an early and late run :) it should not be beyond us to have enough folks playing to manage groups of 4. 8 is slightly harder to make work but 16 is not even on the chart at this time.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Kurtt on March 13, 2012, 08:43:40 PM
Had a nice chat with Aet from TLA earlier this evening.

He's very pro guild merge, but has a couple of requirements, namely:

We only recruit 25+ new members (doesn't apply to any existing members below this age limit).

We only recruit 'nice' people, and have a reasonably robust application process.

I'm ok with the above, but what are your thoughts?
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Goatboy on March 13, 2012, 09:05:55 PM
Instead of guessing, why 25+?
What is 'nice'. What is robust?

Requiring registering for forum and posting a short application thread/introduction tends to weed out most people.
Don't need to know how big their penis is. I'll find that out myself.

Bit vague.
Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Thela on March 13, 2012, 09:11:19 PM
We only recruit 'nice' people

Going after *ssholes is never a smart idea  ;D

But if looks like this merger can work, then go for it.

Title: Re: Project: Antarian Rangers
Post by: Caradir on March 13, 2012, 10:54:45 PM
Instead of guessing, why 25+?
What is 'nice'. What is robust?

Requiring registering for forum and posting a short application thread/introduction tends to weed out most people.
Don't need to know how big their penis is. I'll find that out myself.

Bit vague.

its only vague for you :0

25 for maturity

nice as to avoid assholes, hence requiring a post on forum
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: hadron on March 13, 2012, 11:14:43 PM
hmm not this crap again!

I think if you openly spam for recruitment then this sort of thing is fine, but tbh if I group with an nn year old and they are fine who the hell cares? I am very much against this type of thing, its this rubbish that results in guilds with no members imo. Like I said, open recruitment it makes a lot of sense, but if its someone you know or recommend no restrictions. In reality its unlikely we would attract or be attractive to anyone who didn't fit our profile anyway but the more rules you have the more someone has to enforce them, cant we just play the game?

I'll have to have a word with Aet I guess

:) you may be realising I tend to voice opinions and generally dont let things I dont like go by.

tonight has been one of the bets evenings in game for a long time, lots of chat, very very active and plenty of other folks have said the same thing to me. this is the right thing to do, merging
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Kurtt on March 13, 2012, 11:20:42 PM
The lowest I would go for age restrictions is 18+. I'd be happier with 21+ though.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: hadron on March 13, 2012, 11:33:34 PM
its more about the pointless rule making than the actual age, set it to 25+, now someone comes along who is 24 and plays well and gets on with everyone and we don't let them in? Its ridiculous. Recruitment needs a policy I agree, but it should be based on a first and a second from within the guild, otherwise its just random chance anyway and some age limit is fine, but the game already imposes one anyway.

fewer rules means more time to do the things we want, unless enforcing rules (which are unenforceable anyway, if someone is 14 and wants in they will lie and no one will know) is what you want to do.

I would say 21+ for spam recruitment, no restriction if recommended from within guild.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Mangala on March 13, 2012, 11:48:32 PM
Ive some experience in the recruitment game so yeah i have things to say having done alot of it over the past 7 years.

Age is never the best sign of maturity,  and using it as a barrier to entry will just cause you to start on the same cycle that has gotten 3 storied guilds with long histories into the situation being discussed here today. We have all been done in by RL commitments in addition to EA bullying BW on the games release and this is what brings us to this juncture.

For actual recruitment ideally you want to roll with the typical forum post BUT make it a loose framework instead of the usual bullshit questions asked by every other wannabe group and discern the type of person the app is from  there and maybe just having them tag along on some pve content and join comms for it(imo pvp competence isnt anything you consider when looking at apps for a pve community but then again you know I think pvp in games like this is dire anyway so v0v) etc etc not an interview or trial as such just a feeler session.

However it will be a while before a new group can consider this approach as you need to get the name out there and I'm sorry to say but a minimalist open recruitment policy will be best at the off,  once you have a solid active core with actions speaking for them then you can get onto serious business recruiting.   Trying to be serious from the get go before you have even achieved anything under the new tag just dooms your efforts from the start. The people you look to attract while like minded will be looking for results fr proof you can be a good home,  not vague promises etc etc

Sent using Android Mind Bullets
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Caradir on March 14, 2012, 12:10:20 AM

:) you may be realising I tend to voice opinions and generally dont let things I dont like go by.

tonight has been one of the bets evenings in game for a long time, lots of chat, very very active and plenty of other folks have said the same thing to me. this is the right thing to do, merging

you aint the only one :)

...and i wasnt on goddamn it

as to age restrictions, i understand why some people wish to have them, however im of the mind that i dont assume anything about someone until i make up ny own mind about them, i mean not all under 21s are immature assholes right?
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Goatboy on March 14, 2012, 07:17:45 AM
I think we should all voice our opinions and then in the end the new guild council type thing should make the final decision, to prevent us from going in circles too much. And to make sure the council doesn't get bored.  :D
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: hadron on March 14, 2012, 08:57:19 AM
cool stuff and I think we are all in basic agreement with each other :) My usual response to 'leaders' insisting' on this type of thing is to ask them how old I am and then play it to its ridiculous conclusion ;)
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Clostridium on March 14, 2012, 02:09:28 PM
From what i'v read so far in this thread i realy like the "Just play the game" opinion. Ingame politics take alot of time and slowly pulls you away from the real purpuse of playing the game. Im 24 years old and not mature enough for the 25+year old rule... right!? Age doesnt realy say much and "nice" people can only be mesured in de time you enjoyed playing the game with him/her. So the guild leader(s) have the /kick option if someone misbehaves and the ppl that are not "nice" will gradualy be left out of stuff and die away slowly till they leave themself. Iv seen it happen in World of warcraft and it worked fine. Just dont get cought up in the politics end enjoy the game. The rest will work out fine.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Mangala on March 14, 2012, 02:17:37 PM
From what i'v read so far in this thread i realy like the "Just play the game" opinion. Ingame politics take alot of time and slowly pulls you away from the real purpuse of playing the game. Im 24 years old and not mature enough for the 25+year old rule... right!? Age doesnt realy say much and "nice" people can only be mesured in de time you enjoyed playing the game with him/her. So the guild leader(s) have the /kick option if someone misbehaves and the ppl that are not "nice" will gradualy be left out of stuff and die away slowly till they leave themself. Iv seen it happen in World of warcraft and it worked fine. Just dont get cought up in the politics end enjoy the game. The rest will work out fine.

If I could +rep you I would :)
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Taith on March 14, 2012, 02:22:34 PM
Personally, I'm waiting for a blue response.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Kurtt on March 14, 2012, 02:39:32 PM
Personally, I'm waiting for a blue response.

Like this?
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Taith on March 14, 2012, 09:00:24 PM
This is note the blue I was looking for.


 ;D
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Hurbster on March 18, 2012, 09:53:57 AM
I'm still alive - just being playing Mass Effect 3. Er, so what did I miss ? My rage over the ME3 endings should be calmed soon.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Mangala on March 18, 2012, 10:34:25 AM
I'm still alive - just being playing Mass Effect 3. Er, so what did I miss ? My rage over the ME3 endings should be calmed soon.

Generally dude, quiet numbers at 50 for those focused on swtor to achieve anything, so 3 guilds (possibly 4) merged into The Farstar Alliance.  A new guild that has been setup for members of us, Circle of trust & The Last Alliance (all of whom played lotro on snowbourn too go figure!).  Its open to all existing members of those 3 named guilds, no questions asked etc etc

Feel free to move over yourself/alts etc at your leisure.  Its VERY active I understand now, lastnight had like 17-20 on in /g. I was on eve (its saturday so that means ganked :D) but comms had plenty of folks from TFA on it too doing an Ops :)
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Goatboy on March 18, 2012, 01:40:23 PM
Yeah TFA is good stuff. Slowly getting organized and finding out what everyone's needs and wishes are.

Jon is being terrific once again providing us with a home on www.farstarguild.co.uk (http://www.farstarguild.co.uk). And as long as everyone's a bit diplomatic and focuses on playing the game, I see things going swimmingly.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Hurbster on March 18, 2012, 05:59:36 PM
Sweet, who do i need to contact in-game ?
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Mangala on March 18, 2012, 06:01:59 PM
You've literally just missed an officer, but whisper twinklenoes and make him log over ;)

(My fat jedi hasnt got officer roles yet)

And do /cjoin TJA (its a channel) you can then ask in there too to be sure.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Goatboy on March 22, 2012, 06:52:54 AM
I believe Kurtt has mailed folks ingame (<3) to let them know about the merger.

You can always add Twinkletoes and Twinklenose to your friendslist.
Or do a /who and enter 'Farstar' in the search box at the top of the Who window. Then whisper one of them.

Most of the time there's someone on with invite rights.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Hurbster on March 24, 2012, 10:20:58 AM
Righto, although I came THIS close to quitting my sub over the ME3 thing.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Caradir on March 24, 2012, 10:53:23 AM
Righto, although I came THIS close to quitting my sub over the ME3 thing.

i hope your not being serious ;)
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Hurbster on March 24, 2012, 02:50:32 PM
Yup, it was that bad.
Title: Re: The Guild Merger Thread
Post by: Caradir on March 24, 2012, 03:37:33 PM
Yup, it was that bad.

or maybe just tooo subtle

heres one SPOILER HEAVY Theory

http://youtu.be/ythY_GkEBck (http://youtu.be/ythY_GkEBck)