So I'd like to share a concern I have with regards to the game and how I think certain players or groups appear to have privileged access and influence, and I'd like to get your thoughts on the issue. Before I get started I'd like to make it clear that I have no issue with any player or group in particular, in fact I long argued for guilds and emergent game-play for ED, etc..
What appears to be happening here is that Frontier will, upon request, initiate certain favours for a group, as a thank you for something they deem favourably, or implement a suggestion they happen to like etc... On the face of it these things appear to be benign but I don't think they are even if the intentions of the developers were well intended.
As it stands certain groups are afforded privileged status and I believe there is a special section on the forums which is invite only for leaders of particular groups Frontier deem worthy. With groups being allocated a ranking.
I do find all of this confusing and incoherent because for as long as I can remember during development FD did viriually all they could to not have the game based around groups or clans etc..
In all the online games I've played a situation like this has never occurred so hopefully people will understand where I am coming from; I expect for all players, and groups/guilds to be equally treated by the developers; Indeed, any achievements or influence should come down to what occurs in gameplay. For example, with EvE you'd gain control of an area and keep it by merit and playing the game, in WoW you'd be the first to down a boss etc.. . In ED we send a message to the devs and ask nicely for something? For a game where we are supposed to have ultimate freedom to blaze our own trail is this how its meant to work?
Another thing that I find troublesome is the implementation of player factions. Again, this is all so incoherent because apparently the game isn't meant to be group controlled. Certain groups have their faction at some rather important areas and I find in some situations the location offers said group an advantage over others. Whilst I won't go through them all there is presently one group (just for example purposes threre are others of concern) who has their name plastered all over the starting area of the game.
No matter how well intended said group might be.. does this not give them an advantage over others? And does planting certain groups factions at key or iconic locations in game represent fairness?
I just can't think of any other game where this occurs so maybe I don't quite get it. Nevertheless its something that doesn't sit quite right. So, what do you think? Have I got this all wrong?
What appears to be happening here is that Frontier will, upon request, initiate certain favours for a group, as a thank you for something they deem favourably, or implement a suggestion they happen to like etc... On the face of it these things appear to be benign but I don't think they are even if the intentions of the developers were well intended.
As it stands certain groups are afforded privileged status and I believe there is a special section on the forums which is invite only for leaders of particular groups Frontier deem worthy. With groups being allocated a ranking.
This email is just a little bit of information about Player Group Ranks and what that means. We initially talked about player group ranks on this forum thread: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=167459
We’ve had an amazing number of groups register and it’s delightful to see so many different styles of play and activity covered amongst them.
In order to make sure that we’re able to support as many community groups as possible we’ve got some ranks and rewards. We’ve listed them at the bottom of this email. The main use of group rankings are internal but there are some benefits for group leaders that grow and develop their way up to the higher ranks. Every group is still able to submit for CGs, Minor Factions and ultimately contest to become a power.
We’ve put your rank down currently as ‘Dangerous’. This is the basic level of group meaning that you have direct contact details for the CM team and we will be informing you of updates and news that you can get involved in like the mayhem events I emailed about earlier. The Dangerous groups range from being small groups of 3 or 4 up to groups a little under 100 people. This is the type of rank for groups that want to be included in the conversation but aren’t as large or active as some of the larger groups.
We’re happy to review, discuss or change ranks if you feel the rank should be different for your group. Remember that with so many groups registered we had to draw an initial line and we could possibly have overlooked some groups.
The finalized ranks and details are below.
Dangerous - Dangerous groups are anyone that wants to be a part of the conversation. The only requirements are that you have a group and want to hear more news and updates from us. These groups will be added to the database and contacted via email when there are events, incentives or information that they might like to know about.
What Dangerous groups can expect from us…
- Regular communications about groups and events
- Direct contact with CM
Elite - Elite groups are groups that have an established and thriving sub-community. They might have an estimate of about 100+ member (but not always), run regular events which can be promoted and are supportive of the ED team and community. These groups will be able to submit their activity to us to be promoted in our newsletters, social media or an events schedule which will be creating in the coming weeks.
What Elite groups can expect from us…
- Community site promotional placement
- Social Media promotion and inclusion in comms chatter for key events where possible
- Access to group leaders’ private forum
- Access to competition and event prizing at Frontier Developments’ discretion
Triple Elite - The largest and most engaged sub communities belong in the ranks of Triple Elite. They are likely to have a huge and super-active community, with many hundreds of active members and are a positive influence to Frontier and the community as a whole.
What Elite groups can expect from us…
- Everything in the Dangerous and Elite categories
- Premium Social Promotion
- VIP invitation to Community Events
- Invitation to monthly Group Summit meetings hosted by CM on Skype with potential guest speakers
We’ve had an amazing number of groups register and it’s delightful to see so many different styles of play and activity covered amongst them.
In order to make sure that we’re able to support as many community groups as possible we’ve got some ranks and rewards. We’ve listed them at the bottom of this email. The main use of group rankings are internal but there are some benefits for group leaders that grow and develop their way up to the higher ranks. Every group is still able to submit for CGs, Minor Factions and ultimately contest to become a power.
We’ve put your rank down currently as ‘Dangerous’. This is the basic level of group meaning that you have direct contact details for the CM team and we will be informing you of updates and news that you can get involved in like the mayhem events I emailed about earlier. The Dangerous groups range from being small groups of 3 or 4 up to groups a little under 100 people. This is the type of rank for groups that want to be included in the conversation but aren’t as large or active as some of the larger groups.
We’re happy to review, discuss or change ranks if you feel the rank should be different for your group. Remember that with so many groups registered we had to draw an initial line and we could possibly have overlooked some groups.
The finalized ranks and details are below.
Dangerous - Dangerous groups are anyone that wants to be a part of the conversation. The only requirements are that you have a group and want to hear more news and updates from us. These groups will be added to the database and contacted via email when there are events, incentives or information that they might like to know about.
What Dangerous groups can expect from us…
- Regular communications about groups and events
- Direct contact with CM
Elite - Elite groups are groups that have an established and thriving sub-community. They might have an estimate of about 100+ member (but not always), run regular events which can be promoted and are supportive of the ED team and community. These groups will be able to submit their activity to us to be promoted in our newsletters, social media or an events schedule which will be creating in the coming weeks.
What Elite groups can expect from us…
- Community site promotional placement
- Social Media promotion and inclusion in comms chatter for key events where possible
- Access to group leaders’ private forum
- Access to competition and event prizing at Frontier Developments’ discretion
Triple Elite - The largest and most engaged sub communities belong in the ranks of Triple Elite. They are likely to have a huge and super-active community, with many hundreds of active members and are a positive influence to Frontier and the community as a whole.
What Elite groups can expect from us…
- Everything in the Dangerous and Elite categories
- Premium Social Promotion
- VIP invitation to Community Events
- Invitation to monthly Group Summit meetings hosted by CM on Skype with potential guest speakers
I do find all of this confusing and incoherent because for as long as I can remember during development FD did viriually all they could to not have the game based around groups or clans etc..
In all the online games I've played a situation like this has never occurred so hopefully people will understand where I am coming from; I expect for all players, and groups/guilds to be equally treated by the developers; Indeed, any achievements or influence should come down to what occurs in gameplay. For example, with EvE you'd gain control of an area and keep it by merit and playing the game, in WoW you'd be the first to down a boss etc.. . In ED we send a message to the devs and ask nicely for something? For a game where we are supposed to have ultimate freedom to blaze our own trail is this how its meant to work?
Another thing that I find troublesome is the implementation of player factions. Again, this is all so incoherent because apparently the game isn't meant to be group controlled. Certain groups have their faction at some rather important areas and I find in some situations the location offers said group an advantage over others. Whilst I won't go through them all there is presently one group (just for example purposes threre are others of concern) who has their name plastered all over the starting area of the game.
No matter how well intended said group might be.. does this not give them an advantage over others? And does planting certain groups factions at key or iconic locations in game represent fairness?
I just can't think of any other game where this occurs so maybe I don't quite get it. Nevertheless its something that doesn't sit quite right. So, what do you think? Have I got this all wrong?
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