Post #9: Clan Management Part 3

Clan management type B: 

Create a forum:

·      Develop one section of the forum for fun. This means you can have people post a story about their favorite childhood memory or do an introduction game.

·      Develop another section for guests. Make one portion of your forum just for people to say, “hey it was fun gaming you all.” This is a great way to gain new members by allowing outsiders to interact with your forum.  

·      Develop the final section of your forum for activities. This can be training schedules, clan meetings, wars or whatever you want people to know is happening.

Do use the ranking system:

For type B clans, it’s all about hierarchy. People like to know where they are and where they stand. Part of the fun is moving from private to general. And because of the nature of this type of gamer, there isn’t grand displays of power struggle and leaders becoming big-headed during gameplay.

Give rewards:

Type B people are also all about receiving rewards, however they’re of a completely different nature.  B’s want “fun” rewards. This can mean a player of the week, where the forum highlights a player’s skill sets, good characteristics and favorite weapon. Or it can mean creating a avatar for a particular player signifying something special they’ve done for the clan.

Don’t stress:

Remember, this type of clan is all about fun. When a clan leader becomes frustrated with his members for not being particularly skilled in gameplay, the clan leader is in the wrong. People join this type of clan to have a stress free environment. That means, they don’t want to get fussed at when they team kill for the thousandth time.

And with that said, this concludes my MW2 blog. Happy gaming. 

Post #8: Clan Management Part 2

Create a forum:

• Develop one section of the forum for new recruits. Have them list the number of hours they play and what age they are so that you know they will be available when you need them and that they don’t have too early of a bedtime. 
• Develop another section for challenges. Allow anyone access to this page so that they can challenge your clan to a war. Make sure to list your clan’s hours of availability and your clan’s nationality (languages spoken). 
• Develop the final section of your forum for the schedule. Post dates of training matches, wars, the stakes of the war, and who will be playing and in what positions they will play.

Do not use the ranking system:

For this type of clan, the ranking system is unhealthy. Obviously there has to be a leader, however, it is not necessary for there to be positions under that. When you develop a ranking system for a war clan, then those of higher rank will sometimes abuse their power in game during wars. I have never seen the ranking system be successful for a Type A clan. 

Give rewards:

Type A clan people are all about receiving awards. They want to be recognized as the best, that’s why they’re competing. As a leader, you can give awards in game by complementing your team on their skills and also by allowing them “coveted” positions such as sniper or bomb carrier. 

Don’t always go for the large kill count player:

Remember that the purpose of a type A clan is to win. Often large kill count players are in the game for one person… themselves. Players who listen well, give good directions and know how to loose a kill or two for the team are far more valuable than those who can rack up kills quickly. Choose your members wisely by not just choosing the best of the best, but by choosing those who know how to play as a team.  

Don’t manage your clan with your temper:

Far too often type A clan leaders have a mean temper. There’s money involved and it makes things a little more real. Yelling at Johnny for accidently fragging himself or telling Bob he’s stupid for rushing straight into the enemy’s arms isn’t going to make your team play better. 

Next post: Clan Management Part 3

Post #7: Clan Management Part 1

Or perhaps you’ve moved along to MW3, which this post is equally applicable to. Actually I highly recommend moving along to MW3. I just bought my copy today.

And let me tell you, I’m super-duper excited. Anyway…

There are two styles of clans for the COD gaming community. First let’s figure out which type of clan you are.

Clan type A: a moneymaking clan. Clans like this are run like businesses. You have scheduled training times, scheduled wars and even scheduled maneuvers during gameplay. You know your stuff and you’re all about the winning. This is not a social event; this is a status, profit-earning event. Only the finest play on your team.

Clan type B: a family clan. You know where everyone is from, what their real names are and what type of pets they have. You talk more than you play. Sometimes you synchronize clan movie watching together, just so you can hear everyone laugh at the same time during the funny parts in team speak. You may participate in wars, but they’re not a huge deal. You have a ranking system, but it’s just to keep the peace. You love your clan as much as you love your “real life” friends.

I know some of you may be a little type A and a little type B, however I think for the most part, it will be clear which one your clan is. Next post I will go over some tactics for managing either an A or B clan. Stay tuned.

Post #6: Clan Tactics/Strategies for Wars

Clan tactics vary, however, there are a few basic pointers I would say are applicable to clans of all shapes and sizes.

There has a to be a leader
I’m not saying that the leader of the clan has to be the leader in battle, I’m just saying that there has to be one person calling the shots. One person to make big decisions. One person to say bomb A or bomb B. If you don’t have one person acting as commander, chaos will ensue.

Use individual strengths
You know Bobby’s an awesome sniper, but he always team kills with his grenades. Susie has perfect timing and always plants the bomb at just the right moment. Jim is the best rusher on the team, while Todd knows all the best camping positions . . . etc.

Know the individual members of your team’s strengths and weaknesses. Then play on them. Divide roles to each member. Tell Susie she will plant every round, Bobby that he will stay in spawn and snipe, Jim that he clears the way, and Todd that he camps out the bomb.

Below is a list of positions for a team of four, six and then eight.
Four-man team:
• Sniper (uses sniper rifle at an elevated location)
• Planter (bomb carrier, carefully and cautiously makes way toward the bomb site)
• Rusher (moves quickly to meet enemy team, making the majority of the team’s kills)
• Camper (picks a spot and sits in it, waiting for the enemy to walk past)

Six-man team add:
• Rusher
• Planter Buddy (sticks with the bomb carrier to help them make the plant)

Eight-man team add:
• Camper
• Sneaker (sneaks to get behind enemy team)

*Campers and Planters make good leaders because of their positions on the map.

Create strategies
• Plan before a match what routes bomb carriers and rushers will take, and where snipers and campers will be positioned.
• Label the map. Create titles or phrases for every location on the map so that teammates will recognize what you’re talking about. We all know that, “That one house behind you,” isn’t very descriptive.
• Create a few simple rules. In my previous clans we’ve had rules about guns that no one is allowed to use or rooms that no one should go into so that no one is tempted to do anything stupid or to use a crappy weapon.

Post #5: Making Money

Did you know you could make money gaming? It’s amazing what hours of gameplay can earn you…

Not much.

However, earning money by doing something you love sounds pretty good right? Below are five simple steps to make money gaming.

1. Find a successful and skilled clan to be apart of. (Read blog post #4 for instructions.)
2. Encourage your clan, if they’re not already, to become involved in major league gaming: www.gamebattles.com or www.eurodomination.net
3. Create clan tactics. (Next Friday I will post some example clan tactics.)
4. Have clan members donate money for the entry fee into the online competition.
   Compete and win.

The more you and your clan win the more money you make, and hopefully, your clan leader will share it evenly with you.

Some things you should be sure of before you begin:

• That you have entered a legitimate gaming competition. Do research; google search it before you give them your money.
• That everyone is giving a fair share to the entry fee and that everyone is receiving a fair share of the wins.
• That you’re using www.paypal.com as the system for donating and receiving your money. It’s reliable and easy to use.
• That you have the time to commit to scheduled wars. If your clan has to forfeit a match because you didn’t show up, everyone looses money and… there’s a good chance they won’t like you anymore.

Post #4: Clanning Continued...

Choosing the correct clan is the difference between winning and loosing, or having fun and hating the game. Below is a list of MW2 clans I recommend (in order of recommendation):

1. [SASS]
2. [FEVER]
3. [B2S]
4. [UGF]
5. [SBF]
6. [#GOA]

Criteria I use when deciding whether I want to join a clan:

• They don’t cheat, hack or utilize the game’s glitches.
• The majority of clan members are over 18.
• They play my game types (hardcore vs. softcore, TDM vs. S&D).
• They’re online when I am.
• They’ve been established for a while (at least a year).
• They have resources I can use (Teamspeak, Mumble, website).
• They play competitively. And win.
• They don’t rage quit.
• They’re not foul-mouthed.

I would avoid any clan that has extremely strict requirements. Clans that require weekly meetings or monthly payments can demand more time or money than they’re worth.

Post #3: Clanning

The purpose of clans
I know people join clans for various reasons: they enjoy gaming with others, they want to become more prominent in gaming society, they’re lonely (please don’t let this be your reason). However there are only two purposes for clans. I suggest you make these two purposes your reason for wanting to join a clan, because if you don’t: A. you will be sorely disappointed or B. gaming will turn into a full-time job (and we all know jobs aren’t fun).

Purpose 1: To compete. The only way to play competitively with others is either through a clan or team. You’re not Rambo, so don’t try to be.

Purpose 2: For the benefits. Clans generally give the security of tech support, a website, Team Speak servers, good people to play with, and a Call of Duty education. There’s no better way to learn the game, fix your motherboard, chat in game or post MW2 tips than through the utilization of your clan’s resources.

The reality of clans
Clans aren’t what you think they are. There generally are rules. They’re not flippant. If you’re looking for a group of people to game with once a month or a Team Speak server to utilize for you and your friends, then a clan probably isn’t for you. Clans do require some dedication, and sometimes a little money. Think of it as the payback for using their resources.

Are you clan material?
So before you say, “Yes, I want to join,” think about: Do I have time to play regularly? Do I have any money to help pay for things such as servers or a website? Do I want to compete? How are my skills compared to my (maybe) future clan mates?

Next blog I will dive into which clans I recommend, what to look for in a clan and what to avoid.

Post #2: It's a Cultural Experience

Somewhere along the way, I learned how to say cave, airplane and bomb in six different languages. I learned that German’s speak better English than most Americans and that I liked Polish accents the best.

And… I learned that not everyone speaks my language.

Below, I’ve listed four steps to improve interactions with the “foreign” gamer. (We’re all foreign at some point aren’t we?)

1. Stop being hostile just because you can.

Rivalry between teams, clans and individuals is a healthy component to any competition. However, attacking your competitor with verbal sewage based on their ethnicity is not. I don’t know how many times I’ve joined a server and heard “Speak English you idiot” or “Learn English or leave.” I can tell you right now, that when I join a server filled with French or Germans or Russians, they don’t expect me to speak their language; they actually attempt to speak mine.

2. Attempt to understand.

Most people who game know English. However, how well they know English varies (a lot). So next time, when your “foreign” teammate is trying to give you details about where the enemy is, actually pay attention. I know it sounds like gibberish, but you’ll be surprised to discover what you do understand.

3. Learn to say hello.

I’ve never met a gamer that doesn’t know the meaning of or how to say “hello.” So say hello, even if they’re not American or British. I would even take it one step further. Learn to say “hello” in German, French, Russian, Spanish, Croatian and Polish (most common gaming nations I’ve seen). They will appreciate it. They will laugh at how terribly you butchered the word. And they will ask to become your friend on Steam. Guaranteed.

4. Invite foreigners into your clan.

This does several things: A. Broadens your range of clans to spar with. Suddenly, you not only have clans from the US to game with, but all of your new German member’s European clans too. B. You’ll find the cultural experience enlightening. (I know this sounds dumb, but I promise you will.) C. You’ll be helping your new foreign member gain valuable skills in English — something they will appreciate more than you realize.

I know this all sounds so basic… and it is. So be a smart, multi-cultural gamer and remember these four steps.

Post #1: Introduction

Personal Introduction: Gaming History

My name is Erica and I love Modern Warfare 2.

I began gaming when I was 16. My brother actually paid me to play Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy with him because he had no one to play with. (I was very apposed to the “boy” computer game… thing.) That first day, garbed as a light saber swinging Yoda, was the beginning of a long-term relationship between my computer and I. I came to love other games: EVE Online, Call of Duty 4, Battle for Middle Earth, SWAT 4… and finally, Modern Warfare 2 (which is the basis of this blog).

Blog Introduction: Beyond the Game

However, throughout my gaming years, something beyond the game has captured my attention. Gaming has become a dynamic, online experience in which people all around the world chat, spar, laugh and, well, shoot one another (sounds so much more brutal than it really is). There is more to MW2 (and gaming in general) than sniping positions and knowing how long to cook your grenade. It’s more than finding the most effective glitches and where to slap your C4.

Thankfully, I can help you discover the “more.”

Blog Breakdown: What You’ll Learn

I plan on discussing the following in my blogs:

·      How to properly interact in-game with people who may not speak your language. (This may seem so simple… but for some reason, so many people have a hard time with this one.)

·      What to look for in a clan. (Listing some of the best clans available, personal recommendations, and things to avoid.)

·      Becoming clan material. (How to market yourself to clans that may or may not be looking for members.)

·      Earning revenue. (Make money gaming: possible. Make a living gaming: impossible.)

·      Managing a clan. (Tips on how to properly maintain a MW2 clan.)

·      Tactics for clans. (Tips on in-game clan tactics, procedures and plots.)

·      How to attract new clan members. (Becoming a marketable clan for searching gamers.)

And more.