Goblin Squad Member
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Though we're still too far out to be gathering exacting information from prospective Guides, there is a topic I would like to kick around. I stressed in the original post that Guides are not expected to be experts about every aspect of the game. However, in an effort to network Guides so as to better help our "clients", it would help to know in what ways each Guide is interested in assisting new players.
Here's the basic idea:
1. There are a number of different ways (let's call them Categories of Service) that Guides could help new players.
2. I would like Guides to specify which categories they wish to cover within the Guide Program. This information could be listed on a Guide Program website and made available to all Guides.
3. If a Guide is assisting a client, but finds that the client needs something they cannot provide (i.e. it's not their category), they could check the listing, and via the Guide Program Company (I'm hoping this will be a thing), they could hook the client up with another Guide who can better service them.
Categories of Service:
Greeter - requires basic level knowledge of the game, starter town building locations and feature usage, and a willingness to be that friendly face welcoming new players to the game. I would expect most (if not all) Guides would fit into this category. Certainly, any experienced player could fill this role, but Guides are players who are willing to set aside chunks of their own playing time for this effort. They will also be armed with their network of contacts for further assisting new players, which not every regular player may have.
Companion - a friendly tour guide of the immediate outlying area around the starter town, to help explain node harvesting, provide tips on initial PvE, etc.
Librarian - a Guide who knows far more in-depth knowledge about specific game mechanics, skill, etc. For instance, if someone wants to learn more about the advantages of a particular "class" build, these are the people to send them to. We can get far more granular on specific subject area expertise per librarian later (e.g. "Bob's the rogue guy...if they want to know rogue stuff, send them to Bob.").
Escorts - a Guide willing to spend the overland travel time to escort new players to participating settlements. In that the Guide Program will not be providing "guards", "participating settlements" are those that do provide guards for a safe round trip. The Guide is present to ensure that all players are aware that this is a party of new players. I know several have posed concerns on how this might be abused, but we can work out those logistics/rules/etc. in another thread devoted to just that topic. For the Guide, especially for longer trips, this is a considerable devotion of time, so just how often such trips take place is yet to be determined. It's possible that multiple settlements might be scheduled for the same "Guide Tour" - so new players wishing to visit all participating settlements in the Northwest might be pooled into one group on a given day. This will also need to be tweaked when other starting towns come into play and Guides start associating with a particular one based on geography, alignment, etc. Again, more on this later.
If you have other possible Categories of Service, questions about the ones suggested, etc., feel free to post.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Giorgio,
I can, though I have a feeling that we'll get spread all over the place with multiple topics under the same general heading. Wish we could have sub-threads. :)
Understood and agreed, my recommendation is to make separate threads with same beginning subject.
Examples:
Guide Program: topic a
Guide Program: topic b
Guide Program: website & apps
Guide Program: Categories of Service
Guide Program: Participating Settlements
Guide Program: General Information
And so forth....
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Goblin Squad Member
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Giorgio,
Is this the post?
I too worry that those who are not truly new players will reside in starter settlements for all the wrong reasons - to avoid the risks of being affiliated with player settlements (and thus subject to feuds, wars, etc.) while reaping certain starter settlement benefits. However, I have some concerns as to how the Guide Program would be impacted by this debate.
Here is a potential Catch 22 between affiliation and trained skill level that the Guide Program could find itself caught in with the suggestions already made:
1. Affiliation - My hope is that Guides will have membership to the Guide Program Company via their third company choice. This way, they can still play the "settlement game" with their first and second company choices. However, some may question the Guide Program's (and thus its participant's) ability to remain nonpartisan - I suspect because of certain members' affiliations. This would seem to indicate that if Guides are involved in the "settlement game" when not on duty, that they may be be held suspect of favoring their own settlement (such as recruiting the new players they meet) when they are on Guide duty.
2. Level of Training - If Guides are affiliated with a settlement, they're free to have higher level training, but may be held suspect, as described above. If they remain unaffiliated, by Nihimon's suggested solution, they would either need to keep training to starter settlement levels (which I doubt many players would wish to do), or be always flagged for PvP because of their "Outcast" status. Either of these seem too strong a consequence for desiring to help new players.
So in short, if you're a Guide with an affiliation, you may be held suspect for that affiliation. If you decide not to be affiliated so as to be in Guide Program, you are stuck with starter town level skills or free PvP target status.
I realize this is a very corner case to the debate at hand. I also do not hold it against Nihimon for having suggested the "Outcast" status nor how it might affect the...
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Goblin Squad Member
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Lam asked me in a PM to remove him from the Guide Program listing. I asked him to please post that he wished to be removed so that I don't appear to be deciding who is and is not in the program.
I'm not sure where the publicly **** himself came from. I did not ask that he reveal why he wished to be removed - that's his business, and I don't see why it should be anyone else's.
Let me clarify to avoid future issues. For anyone else on the list or thinking of joining, if at a later date you decide for whatever reason that you no longer wish to participate, that's fine. I'll take no offense to it and I don't see why anyone else should either. This is simply a community service (like many that will hopefully pop up for PFO). If you have time and desire to participate, do so. However, no one should feel like they're bound to this. If you decide, after signing up, that you don't have time, desire, whatever, that's also up to you. I don't see why anyone would hold that decision against you or seek to read more into it.
Let me also state to Lan and the community that my attempt to keep the Guide Program as transparent as possible has been the norm since the original post. For instance, when PMed by people asking to be added, I've asked that they post their desire, so this doesn't become a PM/behind-the-scenes organization. Likewise, if you wish to be removed, I've asked the same, both for the transparency of the program and to avoid other possible issues. Unfortunately, given how politically heated this game has been even before EE, I have no intention of putting myself in the position of seeming like I'm deciding who is and isn't in the Guide Program. I don't believe Lam was attempting to place me in that position, but setting precedents that lead to being placed there are something I'll continue to avoid.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Given the announced changes to EE starting times given in (this) blog, I have changed the old "month 2" starting times to month 1. Moving forward, those purchasing the Explorer Access Package will be designated as "month 2".
Note - If, after reading this thread, you decide that you would like to be Guide, please reply below. Likewise, if you originally voiced interest, but for whatever reason no longer wish to be listed, reply below and I will remove your name.
In order of original reply...
Hobs - month 1
Deianira
BraxtheSage
Bluddwolf
"The Goodfellow"
Ixiolander - month 1
Jazzlvraz - month 1
Harad Navar
Ezekial Krows - month 1
Gedichtewicht
Blaeringr
Lhan
Rufus UK
Shane Gifford of Fidelis - month 1
stagehog81
T7V Wexel Daventry
jericho616
Guurzak - month 1
Banesama - month 1
Duffy - month 1
Ragerock
Proxima Sin of Brighthaven
Sunnfire <Kabal> - Month 1 (Alpha)
Gol Morbis - month 1
Aet Kard Warstein - month 1
Dario - month 1
Snorter - month 1
Aet Khorvak McTiernan - month 1
Harad Navar - month 1
Giorgo - month 1
FMS Quietus - month 1
Feydred of Aeternum - month 1
Augir - month 1
DeciusBrutus - month 1 (Alpha)
Kobold Cleaver - month 1
Thannon Forsworn - month 1
Aet Therea Warstein - month 1
Aet Glaucopide - month 1
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Goblin Squad Member
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While we wait for EE, there are several things we can work on. The first (and hopefully easiest to draft) is the Guide Program's Code of Conduct. Some may think that GW's Terms of Use agreement should suffice, but I believe Guides should hold themselves to a higher standard than a game's minimum required behavior. Remember, as possibly the first people new players meet - and thereby, their first impression of the game community - we have a very large responsibility to set a good impression.
In preparation, I've read EVE University's Code of Conduct as well as several major corporations' guidelines for their customer service employees. I think that with our combined common sense and gaming experience, we can craft something sensible for our use. This is just a rough draft, so feel free to chime in with suggestions.
Be Friendly & Courteous
Guides need to be welcoming, positive, and polite. After all, we will be the greeter at the front door, the information booth attendant, and the tour guide all in one. To do that well, we need to convey to new players that we are happy to meet them and that we will do all that we can within our capacity as Guides to help them better understand PFO.
If we find that we cannot assist a client (e.g. they are asking us to do something we shouldn't) or a client is being abusive, obviously, the Guide is not obligated to continue servicing that client. Guides are volunteers, and no one deserves to be abused. However, if there is a graceful means of removing yourself from the situation, for both your own reputation as a Guide and for the sake of the Guide Program, use the more graceful means.
Finally, we are all human and we all have bad days. If you know you cannot be your usual bright, cheery, Guide Program self today, have the self-awareness to not go on duty.
Be Mindful of Language
It goes without saying that Guides should not use profanity while on duty, but being mindful of language goes beyond this. PFO will be a one server game with a population including people from all different countries and cultures. Especially for those for whom English is not their first language, keep your language as clear, concise, and simple as possible. Actually, this is a good practice when communicating with anyone. Also, avoid slang and jargon. At the very least, such terms may hold no meaning for some players, so assuming they know what you mean would be falling short of providing the useful information we hope to impart. In the worst case scenario, one country's harmless slang may be taken as an insult by the member of another.
Be Attentive
We all will experience unexpected distractions while playing PFO - the /tell from a friend, the call to arms from your settlement, etc. However, as much as possible, plan your times to be on duty when you can be reasonably assured that you can devote your full attention to being a Guide. If a distraction arises while you are with a client, if possible, it is better to transfer the client to another Guide than to provide poor service. Again, seeming the constantly distracted Guide will reflect poorly on you and the program.
Be Honest
Hopefully, having self-designated Categories of Service will help avoid this, but there are bound to be times when Guides are asked questions that they cannot answer. This doesn't necessarily make you a bad Guide. Sandboxes are notorious for having huge learning curves and tons of detailed information. It's one of the reasons for having a Guide Program. As stated in the original post of this thread, no Guide is expected to know everything. Rather, if you find yourself without the desired answer, inform the client that you will do everything within your ability (refer to another Guide, ask a friend in-game, reference an on-line guide, etc.) to get them the answer. More times than not, your willingness to find the answer is just as greatly appreciated and demonstrates your commitment to helping.
Be Nonpartisan
Though this guideline has been present since the initial post of this thread, there are some who question whether being impartial will be possible. I've been able to remain nonpartisan in past games when playing the community servant (even when I had extremely strong views about certain players) and I trust the others who have placed their name on the list above to be able to do the same. Like so much else on this forum, it's all just typed words for now, so there's really not much else to say until we get in-game and prove it.
Simply put, Guides need to be nonpartisan when on duty. Their job is to help new players better understand the game, not to sway opinion, recruit for any Company or Settlement, etc. When you put on your Guide hat, you need to set aside all the other crap - the in-game politics, community drama, forum feuds, etc. If you can't, don't be a Guide.
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In several of the proposed codes above, I've used the phrase "for the sake of the program". I'll be working hard as we press forward to ensure that each Guide can still be their own unique person, and serve as they wish to serve, rather than becoming Guide clones who all have to approach being a Guide the exact same way - so I don't want to seem like the program is more important than the individual. However, one of the main reasons for having a Code of Conduct is to help ensure that an individual member's behavior doesn't end up reflecting poorly on all the other participants. In that everyone who has currently signed up is willing to donate some of their valuable play-time to this cause, I suspect we all want it to succeed and will keep the reputation of the program in mind as we perform our service.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Given the announced changes to EE starting times, I have changed the old "month 2" starting times to month 1. Moving forward, those purchasing the Explorer Access Package will be designated as "month 2".
Note - If, after reading this thread, you decide that you would like to be Guide, please reply below. Likewise, if you originally voiced interest, but for whatever reason no longer wish to be listed, reply below and I will remove your name.
In order of original reply...
Hobs - month 1
Deianira
BraxtheSage
Bluddwolf
"The Goodfellow"
Ixiolander - month 1
Jazzlvraz - month 1
Harad Navar
Ezekial Krows - month 1
Gedichtewicht
Blaeringr
Lhan
Rufus UK
Shane Gifford of Fidelis - month 1
stagehog81
T7V Wexel Daventry
jericho616
Guurzak - month 1
Banesama - month 1
Duffy - month 1
Ragerock
Proxima Sin of Brighthaven
Sunnfire <Kabal> - Month 1 (Alpha)
Gol Morbis - month 1
Aet Kard Warstein - month 1
Dario - month 1
Snorter - month 1
Aet Khorvak McTiernan - month 1
Harad Navar - month 1
Giorgo - month 1
FMS Quietus - month 1
Feydred of Aeternum - month 1
Augir - month 1
DeciusBrutus - month 1 (Alpha)
Kobold Cleaver - month 1
Thannon Forsworn - month 1
Aet Therea Warstein - month 1
Aet Glaucopide - month 1
Thod - month 1
I like the code of conduct and for the most part can't think anything significant to add.
On the topic of being non-partisan I think it would be a good idea to have a resource we can direct the inevitable questions about companies and settlements that may come up from our day to day activities.
This could be especially true for those conducting escorts out to specific settlements. While I could answer questions about Canis Castrum that could naturally arise it would be a bit more ethical if I could direct them to a directory of general information. Such a directory should include basic overviews of settlements and their companies along with a contact to answer their questions (ideally someone who is not a Guide).
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Goblin Squad Member
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All right. Having spent the last three hours working with an experienced gamer who is new to pathfinder (my first Alpha invitee) I now feel like I really do have something to offer. Please include me.
I am in Alpha and month 1.
And, by the way, we had a blast suppressing Razmirans. I'm at "Elite Cultist Slayer 98/100. If only my reputation wasn't -7300 from letting Cheatle talk me into being a guard slayer last night.
edit (make that now at elite cultist slayer 3 :-)
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Goblin Squad Member
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Thannon,
I'm sure we will accumulate all kinds of handy resources for our work, including a listing of all the settlements and likely each ones website url. As long as it's unbiased/nonprejudicial information for the new player to investigate, I don't see a problem. If asked, "Which one would you suggest," or even, "What have you heard about them," our answer needs to be, "As a member of the Guide Program, my job is to provide impartial information. I'm afraid I can't answer that question."
Caldeathe,
Seeing as I envisioned that the Guide Program wouldn't be up and running until after month one, we'll all likely have things we can help with by then. Until that time, we'll still be the new players. And welcome aboard!
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Goblin Squad Member
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All right. Having spent the last three hours working with an experienced gamer who is new to pathfinder (my first Alpha invitee) I now feel like I really do have something to offer. Please include me.
I am in Alpha and month 1.
And, by the way, we had a blast suppressing Razmirans. I'm at "Elite Cultist Slayer 98/100. If only my reputation wasn't -7300 from letting Cheatle talk me into being a guard slayer last night.
edit (make that now at elite cultist slayer 3 :-)
I last checked my rep after 28 hours logged in and it was around -2k, another half day and I'd be back in positive.
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Goblin Squad Member
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I would like to get a Guide meeting together in the not to distant future so that we can talk about several other basic program structure ideas/issues. As EE approaches, more of the people listed below will likely be chiming in and provide us a more complete Guide pool for these discussions.
Our last Guide meeting (long ago) was held on PFO Fan TS - which at the time, presented a nice, nonpartisan location. Having just checked it a minute ago, it seems there is a particular settlement's channel hosted there. I'll look into it.
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Given the announced changes to EE starting times, I have changed the old "month 2" starting times to month 1. Moving forward, those purchasing the Explorer Access Package will be designated as "month 2".
Note - If, after reading this thread, you decide that you would like to be Guide, please reply below. Likewise, if you originally voiced interest, but for whatever reason no longer wish to be listed, reply below and I will remove your name.
In order of original reply...
Hobs - month 1
Deianira
BraxtheSage
Bluddwolf
"The Goodfellow"
Ixiolander - month 1
Jazzlvraz - month 1
Harad Navar
Ezekial Krows - month 1
Gedichtewicht
Blaeringr
Lhan
Rufus UK
Shane Gifford of Fidelis - month 1
stagehog81
T7V Wexel Daventry
jericho616
Guurzak - month 1
Banesama - month 1
Duffy - month 1
Ragerock
Proxima Sin of Brighthaven
Sunnfire <Kabal> - Month 1
Gol Morbis - month 1
Aet Kard Warstein - month 1
Dario - month 1
Snorter - month 1
Aet Khorvak McTiernan - month 1
Harad Navar - month 1
Giorgo - month 1
FMS Quietus - month 1
Feydred of Aeternum - month 1
Augir - month 1
DeciusBrutus - month 1
Kobold Cleaver - month 1
Thannon Forsworn - month 1
Aet Therea Warstein - month 1
Aet Glaucopide - month 1
Thod - month 1
Caldeathe Baequiannia - month 1
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Goblin Squad Member
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Thanks Dario. We'll keep that in mind as an option.
As much as possible, I would like the group to help make the decisions (the Code of Conduct, what voice chat location to use, what website to host the Program data, etc.).
At this point, what would be really useful is a relatively easy way to tell how many of the people listed above are actively reading this thread to know that we're trying to get rolling, and how many listed still have an interest. Unlike a guild/Company/Settlement website, we can't easily track activity here.
Hey, Hobs, I'm gonna be in the wrong country by the time EE starts. As such, I won't be able to join in until something like Month 4.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Where did Hobs go?
Such an open-ended question. Are you asking about That-which-is-Hobs, or He-who-is-was-and-will-be-Hobs, or perhaps you seek a revelation on the nature of the id, expressing in our merely-human way a curiosity about how the Hobs of today is, in some ineffable fashion, different than the Hobs of days gone by?
In any case, and TLDR, A very good question.
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Goblin Squad Member
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The Guide Program remains a good idea, both for the benefit of new players and for the community into which they are integrating. To those who wish to pursue the creation of such a program in this game, though it takes a great deal of time, effort, and dedication, from my own past experience, I can say it is extremely rewarding work and encourage you to do so. Helping your fellow player and building interpersonal bridges and bonds, especially those that manage to rise above the potentially divisive politics of nation building games, can only make the community stronger.
I wish you well.
Hobs
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Goblin Squad Member
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Hobs quit the game after repeated harassment from people on these forums. He plays re population now.
This is sad. Unfortunately some posters here don't realize how their postings can drive away people.
I hope someone steps into Hobs footsteps and carries on where he left off. I'm happy to offer Emerald Lodge as a place for such a person. It could be an ideal place to learn with enough monsters around and it could be a stepping stone to go North or South if players want to join one of the more PvP heavy settlements afterwards.
I try to be a guide as far as I can for my own people and people dropping by - but there is no way I can or will take on such a role in addition to my settlement leader responsibilities.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Hobs quit the game after repeated harassment from people on these forums. He plays re population now.
Very sad to hear this. He and ZenPagan were the two people who got me most enthused about the game.
I suggest those of us interested in pursuing the Guide Program meet on TeamSpeak to discuss reorganizing and select a leader. This is too good an idea to let gall by the wayside, and I'm sure one of the settlements will let us use their TS server.
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Goblin Squad Member
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@Hobs,
Sorry to see you go. :(
@Thod,
Thanks for offering the EL as a place for a guide program to set up shop, it makes a lot of sense.
@Deianira,
T7V offers their TS info at every possible mention/at the drop of a hat for almost all community and new player discussions. I REALY should write it down somewhere. (Grin)
I would love to be an active participant in a guides program, but at this time RL commitments does not allow me the time; but I would like to "stay in the loop" as I am interested in the program.
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Goblin Squad Member
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| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
@Hobs,
Sorry to see you go. :(
@Thod,
Thanks for offering the EL as a place for a guide program to set up shop, it makes a lot of sense.
@Deianira,
T7V offers their TS info at every possible mention/at the drop of a hat for almost all community and new player discussions. I REALY should write it down somewhere. (Grin)
I would love to be an active participant in a guides program, but at this time RL commitments does not allow me the time; but I would like to "stay in the loop" as I am interested in the program.
Excellent! Should we try for Wednesday night at 8 EST? I'm usually fairly flexible with days (except weekends), but this week Wednesday's my only free night.
Hey, I'm one of these! What do I need to do to become officially one of these?
What does "leader" mean, in this case? I am personally a big fan of "Leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern."
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Goblin Squad Member
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That's actually my style as well--leaders exit to serve the organization and make it better. At present, this particular ship has lost it's captain, and so no one is certain where it's going, or even if it will sink or float. A leader here has to be someone willing to step in and organize things, get a team together that can give this thing some structure, establish communication plans, etc. I value this particular function enough to step in, but would certainly defer to someone else with more time or direct experience (and even then would remain willing to be on any planning team).