Quote:
Originally Posted by Brontus
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It is only unreasonable given the current staffing level which I believe is too low to service the current server population here on P1999.
I say this because I was deeply involved with the EverQuest Guide Program for many years. I can tell from actual experience, each EQ live server had at least 3 times the number of volunteer guides that are currently assigned to P1999 if not more. We also had the benefit of the SWAT Team -- a special band of roving GMs, Senior Guides and Guides who would go from server to server to slay the petition queue of servers with high petition queues.
If the admins here are genuinely striving to create a classic EQ experience then the answer is to apply this admirable standard to all levels of the EQ experience including bringing the levels of GM/Guide staffing to EQ live levels which are historically accurate for the 1999-2001 time period.
Yes, enforcing the play nice policy took up a significant amount of our time but it was part of the job and worth it in the long run as players would stay in line and behave responsibly because they knew there were consequences. GM admins, Senior Guides, Guides were constantly doing investigations and gathering evidence on players that were violating these rules. We would make notes on each player account and eventually if a player accrued enough bad incidents on their file, the GMs would step in and ban them.
Policing a MMORPG like EQ that affords players a lot of freedom is not easy but it has to be done. That my friend is classic EverQuest and to me and many here, it's worth it.
Additionally, it's worth noting that back on EQ Live during that same classic time period, GM and volunteers did not have to spend any time on doing IP exemptions because 2 boxing was not illegal. The admins here have decided that 2 boxing is not allowed so that requirement has put additional stress on the volunteers here to process exemptions and investigate offenders. This is precious time they could be spending doing fun activities like running quests and events for the community.
To me the answer on many issues afflicting P1999 right is to increase staffing levels. Is managing volunteers easy? No. It takes a lot work, much organization and tireless dedication. Not everyone is cut out to be a GM or a Guide. We volunteered back in the day and we didn't get paid but we did it and we enjoyed it.
My undying respect goes out to the staff here on all levels for what they are doing. Being a volunteer is a thankless job and sometimes players hold you to impossible standards but it's very rewarding knowing that you are helping to create an unparalleled online experience that is simply not available anywhere else.
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I'd be more than happy to go through the volunteer guide process if we could get some classic rules on the server. I'm sure there are other responsible people who would too.