Casinos

[Llodd]

Originally Posted by kruptcy [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I can understand where you are coming from, but I think you overlook all of the level 1 rogues and clerics with their epics. Those low levels would not be able to compete for the relevant camps with their higher level counterparts. Similarly, I was in a KC group recently when a metal pipe dropped. Several people in the group wanted to random against the monk for the item because they could sell the MQ, when the monk himself needed the pipe to advance his epic quest. Eliminating MQs would indeed not eliminate overcrowded camps, but it would eliminate people camping enemies that ONLY drop epic pieces for other classes with MQing for plat in mind.

Not to mention that if I'm going to be cockblocked I'd much rather be cockblocked by someone who needs it rather than someone that's just selling it for pp.

[Derubael]

Originally Posted by Llodd [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I think what he means is that you often say you have lots of work to get through, whilst not taking on more staff to alleviate that work.

We are in the process of bringing on more Guides to the staff.

The problem is it's extremely difficult to find people that:

1) We can trust. Most important thing.

2) Are willing to work, and treat the work like it's a legitimate job

3) Can be respectful and calm even when being threatened, insulted, or harassed.

4) Can put in 20+ hours a week minimum. Right now we aren't even looking at apps who don't have that much time to put in.

5) Won't burnout/leave/get frustrated within 6 months of joining. We've had 2 Guides turnover in the last few months because they got busy with RL/weren't prepared for the expectations we have of our Guides.

Ascertaining all of that from a single Guide app + interview is difficult, and that's why it takes so long to pick Guides.

All of that being said, apply to be a Guide today! We need YOU to help Norrath!

[littlebobby3]

Originally Posted by Derubael [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

We are in the process of bringing on more Guides to the staff.

The problem is it's extremely difficult to find people that:

1) We can trust. Most important thing.

2) Are willing to work, and treat the work like it's a legitimate job

3) Can be respectful and calm even when being threatened, insulted, or harassed.

4) Can put in 20+ hours a week minimum. Right now we aren't even looking at apps who don't have that much time to put in.

5) Won't burnout/leave/get frustrated within 6 months of joining. We've had 2 Guides turnover in the last few months because they got busy with RL/weren't prepared for the expectations we have of our Guides.

Ascertaining all of that from a single Guide app + interview is difficult, and that's why it takes so long to pick Guides.

All of that being said, apply to be a Guide today! We need YOU to help Norrath!

I always thought being a guide or a GM would be fun but like you said there is a lot of time involved. I considered applying after I watched the last stream sirken did but after reading this I may wait till my life settles down a bit.

If you don't mind me asking what is the issue with trust? Are guides abusing privileges?

[funhorroryes]

i bet there will be underground casinos now with higher rake and less win %

[Elerial]

Originally Posted by Derubael [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

We are in the process of bringing on more Guides to the staff.

The problem is it's extremely difficult to find people that:

1) We can trust. Most important thing.

2) Are willing to work, and treat the work like it's a legitimate job

3) Can be respectful and calm even when being threatened, insulted, or harassed.

4) Can put in 20+ hours a week minimum. Right now we aren't even looking at apps who don't have that much time to put in.

5) Won't burnout/leave/get frustrated within 6 months of joining. We've had 2 Guides turnover in the last few months because they got busy with RL/weren't prepared for the expectations we have of our Guides.

Ascertaining all of that from a single Guide app + interview is difficult, and that's why it takes so long to pick Guides.

All of that being said, apply to be a Guide today! We need YOU to help Norrath!

Sounds like Uncle Sam recruiting [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I'm sure people will apply and help.

But just as a side note, don't you think it's a bit discouraging to say "it took a year for my application to get approved, be patient" ?

People post an application, then don't hear from you for a few months and anyone would assume that the server doesn't actually _need_ Guides that much if it takes so long to respond.
Edit: You're comparing it to a legitimate job, but most people out there, who are willing to help you aren't willing to commit to another job. Therein might lie your problem of finding reliable people. Most people applying will already have one + a family to take care of. Not to mention some of them might delegate 3 hours a day to playing the game and becoming a Guide with 20+ minimum hours a week just became their play time is 0.
At the same time, you're scaring all those that would be willing to help in minor roles (live had relegated duties) for a minor time involvment with your "legitimate job routine" that you end up with.. well.. seeing how you complain all the time about being overworked. It's those people with jobs and families and whatnot that have put some life behind them that would probably fill that niche of being trustworthy AND have the patience of an IT professional behind a service desk.

And on the treating this thing as a legitimate job - those ussually pay. On Live, for all it being "volounteer" - we got free expansions and didn't need to pay our subscription, I presume you're not putting your highest hopes on the exquisite opportunity of dealing with asshats every day as your numero uno.
Edit: That isn't why I signed up for the Guide program on Live. The simple fact of helping keep the game smoother for everyone was payment enough. Not paying for expansions and subscriptions was just an added bonus. I did hate every minute of the tedious reporting of every single thing I did as a Guide. Not because I don't think what Guides do shouldn't be monitored and scrutinized but because the tools to do so were outdated + you had to double check if the report didn't mix something up and make you look like a mass murderer.


Have a nice day, I know mine already is.

[Derubael]

Originally Posted by Elerial [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Sounds like Uncle Sam recruiting [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I'm sure people will apply and help.

But just as a side note, don't you think it's a bit discouraging to say "it took a year for my application to get approved, be patient" ?

People post an application, then don't hear from you for a few months and anyone would assume that the server doesn't actually _need_ Guides that much if it takes so long to respond.
Edit: You're comparing it to a legitimate job, but most people out there, who are willing to help you aren't willing to commit to another job. Therein might lie your problem of finding reliable people. Most people applying will already have one + a family to take care of. Not to mention some of them might delegate 3 hours a day to playing the game and becoming a Guide with 20+ minimum hours a week just became their play time is 0.
At the same time, you're scaring all those that would be willing to help in minor roles (live had relegated duties) for a minor time involvment with your "legitimate job routine" that you end up with.. well.. seeing how you complain all the time about being overworked. It's those people with jobs and families and whatnot that have put some life behind them that would probably fill that niche of being trustworthy AND have the patience of an IT professional behind a service desk.

And on the treating this thing as a legitimate job - those ussually pay. On Live, for all it being "volounteer" - we got free expansions and didn't need to pay our subscription, I presume you're not putting your highest hopes on the exquisite opportunity of dealing with asshats every day as your numero uno.
Edit: That isn't why I signed up for the Guide program on Live. The simple fact of helping keep the game smoother for everyone was payment enough. Not paying for expansions and subscriptions was just an added bonus. I did hate every minute of the tedious reporting of every single thing I did as a Guide. Not because I don't think what Guides do shouldn't be monitored and scrutinized but because the tools to do so were outdated + you had to double check if the report didn't mix something up and make you look like a mass murderer.


Have a nice day, I know mine already is.

We demand a lot of our Guides, and don't want to disillusion anyone over the work that will be required. There is a ton of fun and it's a rewarding position, but there are expectations and we do expect people to take the position very seriously.

I understand where you are coming from with your post, but we've had enough experience bringing on new staff members to recognize that it's extremely important we detail exactly what it is we're looking for so that people know what they are getting into.

As for mentioning that it took a year for me to get a response, again, I'd rather be honest than tell a lie to make things look "better". After you've put in a Guide application you could literally be pulled up for an interview at any minute.

Lastly, we really do want people to consider this position as a serious responsibility and privilege. We want people to understand what they are getting themselves into. Being a Guide is one of the most rewarding things you can do here on Project 1999, assuming you are that kind of person who wants to help the server more than anything else. If you are that kind of person, we want you to apply [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

It's a lot of fun and a ton of work, and if you can accept that, you won't find a better way to experience and help the server.

[Shannacore]

Does this include events such as the EQ Trivia Night I did a few weeks back?

[Ataxio]

Perhaps... perhaps it's time I cleaned up that rough draft :F

[Brohl]

Wow drama central. After wading through this entire thread I must say I am entertained. First, kudos to the ban on all casinos! They are nothing but annoying spammers and add nothing to the game itself.
Being new here and thinking this whole concept is both novel and well thought out I am surprised that there is so much griefing over this simple rule. Really, no one HAS to play here. You all came here by choice through either nostalgia over the "good old days" or a desire to play EQ as it was back at the beginning. If you don't find it fun go play elsewhere.
Just few more off the cuff comments:
To the guy who keeps demanding that the rulings be "more specific". Yes, you can still /random for loot drops. And I believe no you cannot have a guild casino night or day. I would also imagine if you and a friend want to /random a dice game while waiting for a spawn no one will care, ever.
To the guy who was demanding his "basic rights" ...are you a nut? This is a game in case you failed to notice. Oh yes I almost forgot, I am planning on creating a guild that only Dark Elves can join. These are toons not actual people and unless you are having very very serious breaks from reality you can't "discriminate" against a toon.

Just my 2 cents...
Brohl
Formerly of Quellious Warlords of Order and Chaos!!!

[Elerial]

Originally Posted by Derubael [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

We demand a lot of our Guides, and don't want to disillusion anyone over the work that will be required. There is a ton of fun and it's a rewarding position, but there are expectations and we do expect people to take the position very seriously.

I understand where you are coming from with your post, but we've had enough experience bringing on new staff members to recognize that it's extremely important we detail exactly what it is we're looking for so that people know what they are getting into.

As for mentioning that it took a year for me to get a response, again, I'd rather be honest than tell a lie to make things look "better". After you've put in a Guide application you could literally be pulled up for an interview at any minute.

Lastly, we really do want people to consider this position as a serious responsibility and privilege. We want people to understand what they are getting themselves into. Being a Guide is one of the most rewarding things you can do here on Project 1999, assuming you are that kind of person who wants to help the server more than anything else. If you are that kind of person, we want you to apply [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

It's a lot of fun and a ton of work, and if you can accept that, you won't find a better way to experience and help the server.

I understand ful.. wait, no, actually I don't fully understand why you need to paint such a bleak picture, but given how hectic sometimes things were on live with server teams having up to 30 members + backing of 50something SWAT guides + GM's + DEV's or Guide/GM Liasons AND still managed to end up shits creek.

Honesty is the best policy. I'd rather have you tell me the truth than pretty it up so I fail to see that big bear trap with spikes on the bottom right in front of me. But I pointed out what I did for the simple reason that I can't be the only one thinking the entire thing might be a bit discouraging. Especially since I know quite some people who don't want to return to EQ/EVE "because they don't need another job".

Best of luck however in finding reliable people, if nothing else to relieve your shoulders from the weight of the world you're carrying (Server staff in general).