FFXIV News: ZOMG SE IS RMT!

Sarcasm guys, sarcasm.

Anyway, SE's president made this announcement (translated by Elmer the Amazingly Pointy on BG):

“The basic model hasn't changed,” he said. “It's a monthly flat rate service with additional charges for items that users want to buy.
“For FFXI we didn't initially set up the item transaction model that well – although the demand for it was high. We thought that it would be a benefit for users, but that we wouldn't be able to charge.

“We soon learnt that there are a lot of people who want that kind of model, so we would like to introduce more pay-as-you-use items into the game. But there were too few items in FFXI – however we don't want to take it to the other extreme entirely for FFXIV.

Now, of course people like Jaxzer immidiately took this to mean that there will be wholesale RMT for every item in the game, but the more level headed, and even the not-so-level-headed-and-for-the-most-part-generally-apocalyptic Iceblazek stepped in and said this is almost definitely not going to be about game-balance changing gear.

There are lots of way to sell in game items that are no game breaking. WoW does it pretty well, but there are even more ways to do it. WoW does it well with vanity pets now, and their server changing options. SE already has done it with the Tidal Talisman and some would say the Moogle Satchel and the Nexus Cape but I would argue those are slightly different. The former was to provide an incentive to people to improve their security that they couldn't resist and the later was more of a reward for finishing an expansion even if you did get it on the purchase of the last expansion. There are a bunch of other ways to increase profits without wreaking the game, and I have always been a big advocate that as long as it doesn't mess with real game balance (and no, carrying around more stuff doesn't effect real game balance, nor does warping to Tiamat). I can think of a few examples off the top of my head: vanity pets and vanity mounts both from WoW, furnishings, server transfers and other related data transfers, character beautification (changing hair/skin coloring), gear beautification (different colors or even particle effects on gear) and the list goes on and on.

The other thing that I think is important is that this is SE's President talking, not Tanaka. This is Tanaka's game, and he has already mentioned this in passing but seemingly assured players it wouldn't effect balance. I don't think Tanaka would be down with full scale RMT, and the President of SE has said some other things about FFXI and FFXIV that haven't panned out. Tanaka is a game developer, SE's President is a business guy. Business guys tend to say things they think the media wants to hear, game developers say things they think the players want to hear. Remember some of the gaming media still defends RMT on some level to satisfy those with attention spans smaller than a gnat.

I think this will probably be one of those much ballyhoo'd issues that doesn't amount to as much as it first appears. Like the "PS3 exclusive" comments, this will probably get explained again, and again until we get a real picture of the situation.

Sarcasm guys, sarcasm. <br /><br />Anyway, SE's president made this announcement (translated by Elmer the Amazingly Pointy on BG): <blockquote>“The basic model hasn't changed,” he said. “It's a monthly flat rate service with additional charges for items that users want to buy.<br />“For FFXI we didn't initially set up the item transaction model that well – although the demand for it was high. We thought that it would be a benefit for users, but that we wouldn't be able to charge.<br /><br />“We soon learnt that there are a lot of people who want that kind of model, so we would like to introduce more pay-as-you-use items into the game. But there were too few items in FFXI – however we don't want to take it to the other extreme entirely for FFXIV.</blockquote><br /><br />Now, of course people like Jaxzer immidiately took this to mean that there will be wholesale RMT for every item in the game, but the more level headed, and even the not-so-level-headed-and-for-the-most-part-generally-apocalyptic Iceblazek stepped in and said this is almost definitely not going to be about game-balance changing gear.<br /><br />There are lots of way to sell in game items that are no game breaking. WoW does it pretty well, but there are even more ways to do it. WoW does it well with vanity pets now, and their server changing options. SE already has done it with the Tidal Talisman and some would say the Moogle Satchel and the Nexus Cape but I would argue those are slightly different. The former was to provide an incentive to people to improve their security that they couldn't resist and the later was more of a reward for finishing an expansion even if you did get it on the purchase of the last expansion. There are a bunch of other ways to increase profits without wreaking the game, and I have always been a big advocate that as long as it doesn't mess with real game balance (and no, carrying around more stuff doesn't effect real game balance, nor does warping to Tiamat). I can think of a few examples off the top of my head: vanity pets and vanity mounts both from WoW, furnishings, server transfers and other related data transfers, character beautification (changing hair/skin coloring), gear beautification (different colors or even particle effects on gear) and the list goes on and on.<br /><br />The other thing that I think is important is that this is SE's President talking, not Tanaka. This is Tanaka's game, and he has already mentioned this in passing but seemingly assured players it wouldn't effect balance. I don't think Tanaka would be down with full scale RMT, and the President of SE has said some other things about FFXI and FFXIV that haven't panned out. Tanaka is a game developer, SE's President is a business guy. Business guys tend to say things they think the media wants to hear, game developers say things they think the players want to hear. Remember some of the gaming media <span style="font-style:italic;">still</span> defends RMT on some level to satisfy those with attention spans smaller than a gnat.<br /><br />I think this will probably be one of those much ballyhoo'd issues that doesn't amount to as much as it first appears. Like the "PS3 exclusive" comments, this will probably get explained again, and again until we get a real picture of the situation.

FFXIV News: FFXIVCore Follow-up Interview.

FFXICore has posted some very interesting follow-up questions from their original meeting with the FFXIV many months ago (I know, shocking that SE took forever to do a follow up). The questions and answers are up my alley when it comes to what I am looking for when it comes to FFXIV information. I don't care about the storyline or the monsters we will be fighting. I don't even care about the job system or how you level up. Those are things that you do first when making an MMO, and if they don't work then the game won't work, and SE's track record when it comes to these aspects of the game is very good.

I am much more interested in the day to day aspects of how the game will work. Will I need to use macros? Will I use mouse and keyboard or only keyboard or a game controller? What will linkshells/guilds be like? Other technical aspects that I want to know about while other people are drooling over pretty pictures and storylines, I am kicking the tires and checking the oil.

There are a few interesting notes that stand out. There is no self-directed flying as of yet, and honest that doesn't mean a thing to me, but I know people will be screaming about how Aion has flying just like they screamed about WoW having jumping when it first came out. (A side note to people that are playing Aion: You are playing a very, very pretty but completely recycled Korean MMO, and prettiness does not an MMO make.)

There will be quests similar to AF and Limit Break quests, which to me is very important to the overall progression of the initial gameplay and it gives people the sense of accomplishment even if they haven't really accomplished anything major in the game. It definitely breaks up the grind.

The combat system will be something completely new and revolutionary. Excuse me if I don't have the same enthusiasm that SE has about this, but it is very rare when things are truly new and revolutionary in video games. I have no concern that it will be too much like WoW, because SE has been making MMO's longer than Blizzard and while they have definitely borrowed concepts they don't really seem interested in borrowing their formats.

Finally, it should be noted that the economy in FFXIV probably wont be the same as FFXI and that is a good thing. To combat RMT they are likely going to make many more things Rare/Exclusive, and it seems like they are going to handle crafting in a different manner than they did in FFXI. What does this mean? Who knows, but I doubt you are going to see the imbalance in prices that you see in FFXI.

The entire set of follow-up questions below the break:

From FFXIVCore:

Awhile ago I attended Gamescom in Germany and got to interview the Square Enix team about Final Fantasy XIV. I was limited to 45 minutes of time, but they gave me the chance to email a couple of questions that was left from the FFXIVCore.com community which they promised to answer in due time.

Well, that time has come and I present you with a mini interview (twelve questions and answers), answers are courtesy of Square Enix and the questions asked are from the community here at FFXIVCore.com. Enjoy!


Q1: Will we be able to fly somehow either by ourselves free roaming or scheduled transport airships like in FFXI?

A: At present, we have no plans for free-form aerial movement for players. We are, however, looking into a number of different types of flying transportation.


Q2: How will player run guild/linkshells work? What features can we expect and what benefits can a guild/linkshell get through progression if any?

A: For the time being, we are still keeping this information secret. But, we are very adamant about creating an entirely novel system.


Q3: Will the races hold the same benefits as they did previously in FFXI, or will the stat bonuses be different and play a larger role? In addition, will faction choice play a bigger role? In FFXI we had separate mission lines and friendly competitions such as ballista. Will we see something similar or something dramatically different than FFXI system for different factions?

A: The bonuses among races will be of a different variety than those seen in FFXI. But players need not be concerned with this when choosing a race based on aesthetics.

There is also an element of freedom in that players will not pledge their allegiance to a single city-state. This means that the guildleves or skills available will differ region to region, which all being accessible. Of course, this applies quests as well.


Q4: Will the artifact story line quests return for each class from FFXI? If not, will similar quest lines carry on a system of “right of passage” such as limit break quests?

A: Character development along the lines of the Armoury system and skill levels will incorporate familiar concepts from FFXI as well as entirely new elements.


Q5: What do you expect the cap level to be in FFXIV at the start and/or at the end?

A: This has yet to be decided. We will be setting the level cap after looking at the Beta phase results and other considerations.


Q6: Will there be a cooldown timer or anything that limits how often we can change class?

A: There is no real concept of static "classes" in the traditional sense. Rather, there may be somewhat of a restriction placed on the changing of weapons or tools mid-combat.


Q7: Will there be something like a Mog House? Maybe this time around we will have an actual HOUSE, and not a little tiny room!

A: Nothing is set in stone yet. There are a number of possibilities that we are still looking into.


Q8: Limit Breaks were powerful combat moves featured in several Final Fantasy titles. In FFXI we saw Weapon Skills and Magic Burst. Do you have any plans to include a similar system in FFXIV?

A: This has not been decided at this time. But it's safe to say that players can expect to see a completely new and revolutionary system.


Q9: Are there any plans to add female Roegadyn and male Miqo'te?

A: Well, the character model designs are finished... But further details regarding their implementation have yet to be decided.


Q10: Will this FFXIV be more "new person friendly" than FFXI was? (Once everyone had been playing for years, it was hard for new people who started to be able to play, even with the "level sync" system that was added in later. Not to mention, finding armors/weapons in the Auction House was nearly impossible for new players. Barely anyone used the "mentor" system in FFXI either, or rather, there were barely any hosts.)

A: We are developing in-depth introductory tutorials for new players. We are also designing the game while keeping in mind those users who enjoy playing solo, as well as those who can only log in for short periods of time. There will also be plenty of content for newcomers.

But, on the other hand, there will also be complex battles requiring large numbers of people for players more interested in content of that nature.

Our main goal is really to create a variety of ways in which to enjoy the game.


Q11: Will mobs actually drop armors/weapons like most MMOs or is FFXIV going to be like FFXI where you can only obtain these in Auction House or Crafting, or Raids?

A: The complete details of this are still undecided.

As in FFXI and other MMORPGS, some monsters will drop armor and weapons. However, items that drop in this manner are always a target for RMT exploitation. So to avoid any kind of player exclusion, most instances of these drops will yield items which cannot be passed between players.

To put it broadly, there will be a number of ways available to obtain a number of different items.


Q12: Is crafting still going to be an integral and value added portion of the game and somewhat prohibitive so that a selected dedicated few will feel like they are part of the economy and adventuring aspects? (Crafting and not adventuring usually keeps me hooked)

A: Players who wish to do so will be able to fully enjoy the game using only their crafting skills.

The same can be said not only for those wishing to specialize solely in synthesis of items, but those who prefer combat or the gathering of materials as well. All of these types of players will be important to the game world.

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXIV_logo_new.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/FFXIV_logo_new.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 229px;" /></a><br />FFXICore has posted some very interesting follow-up questions from their original meeting with the FFXIV many months ago (I know, shocking that SE took forever to do a follow up). The questions and answers are up my alley when it comes to what I am looking for when it comes to FFXIV information. I don't care about the storyline or the monsters we will be fighting. I don't even care about the job system or how you level up. Those are things that you do first when making an MMO, and if they don't work then the game won't work, and SE's track record when it comes to these aspects of the game is very good.<br /><br />I am much more interested in the day to day aspects of how the game will work. Will I need to use macros? Will I use mouse and keyboard or only keyboard or a game controller? What will linkshells/guilds be like? Other technical aspects that I want to know about while other people are drooling over pretty pictures and storylines, I am kicking the tires and checking the oil.<br /><br />There are a few interesting notes that stand out. There is no self-directed flying as of yet, and honest that doesn't mean a thing to me, but I know people will be screaming about how Aion has flying just like they screamed about WoW having jumping when it first came out. (A side note to people that are playing Aion: You are playing a very, very pretty but completely recycled Korean MMO, and prettiness does not an MMO make.) <br /><br />There will be quests similar to AF and Limit Break quests, which to me is very important to the overall progression of the initial gameplay and it gives people the sense of accomplishment even if they haven't really accomplished anything major in the game. It definitely breaks up the grind. <br /><br />The combat system will be something completely new and revolutionary. Excuse me if I don't have the same enthusiasm that SE has about this, but it is very rare when things are truly new and revolutionary in video games. I have no concern that it will be too much like WoW, because SE has been making MMO's longer than Blizzard and while they have definitely borrowed concepts they don't really seem interested in borrowing their formats.<br /><br />Finally, it should be noted that the economy in FFXIV probably wont be the same as FFXI and that is a good thing. To combat RMT they are likely going to make many more things Rare/Exclusive, and it seems like they are going to handle crafting in a different manner than they did in FFXI. What does this mean? Who knows, but I doubt you are going to see the imbalance in prices that you see in FFXI.<br /><br />The entire set of follow-up questions below the break: <br /><span class="fullpost"><br />From FFXIVCore:<br /><blockquote>Awhile ago I attended Gamescom in Germany and got to interview the Square Enix team about Final Fantasy XIV. I was limited to 45 minutes of time, but they gave me the chance to email a couple of questions that was left from the FFXIVCore.com community which they promised to answer in due time.<br /><br />Well, that time has come and I present you with a mini interview (twelve questions and answers), answers are courtesy of Square Enix and the questions asked are from the community here at FFXIVCore.com. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br />Q1: Will we be able to fly somehow either by ourselves free roaming or scheduled transport airships like in FFXI?<br /><br />A: At present, we have no plans for free-form aerial movement for players. We are, however, looking into a number of different types of flying transportation.<br /><br /><br />Q2: How will player run guild/linkshells work? What features can we expect and what benefits can a guild/linkshell get through progression if any?<br /><br />A: For the time being, we are still keeping this information secret. But, we are very adamant about creating an entirely novel system.<br /><br /><br />Q3: Will the races hold the same benefits as they did previously in FFXI, or will the stat bonuses be different and play a larger role? In addition, will faction choice play a bigger role? In FFXI we had separate mission lines and friendly competitions such as ballista. Will we see something similar or something dramatically different than FFXI system for different factions?<br /><br />A: The bonuses among races will be of a different variety than those seen in FFXI. But players need not be concerned with this when choosing a race based on aesthetics.<br /><br />There is also an element of freedom in that players will not pledge their allegiance to a single city-state. This means that the guildleves or skills available will differ region to region, which all being accessible. Of course, this applies quests as well.<br /><br /><br />Q4: Will the artifact story line quests return for each class from FFXI? If not, will similar quest lines carry on a system of “right of passage” such as limit break quests?<br /><br />A: Character development along the lines of the Armoury system and skill levels will incorporate familiar concepts from FFXI as well as entirely new elements.<br /><br /><br />Q5: What do you expect the cap level to be in FFXIV at the start and/or at the end?<br /><br />A: This has yet to be decided. We will be setting the level cap after looking at the Beta phase results and other considerations.<br /><br /><br />Q6: Will there be a cooldown timer or anything that limits how often we can change class?<br /><br />A: There is no real concept of static "classes" in the traditional sense. Rather, there may be somewhat of a restriction placed on the changing of weapons or tools mid-combat.<br /><br /><br />Q7: Will there be something like a Mog House? Maybe this time around we will have an actual HOUSE, and not a little tiny room!<br /><br />A: Nothing is set in stone yet. There are a number of possibilities that we are still looking into.<br /><br /><br />Q8: Limit Breaks were powerful combat moves featured in several Final Fantasy titles. In FFXI we saw Weapon Skills and Magic Burst. Do you have any plans to include a similar system in FFXIV?<br /><br />A: This has not been decided at this time. But it's safe to say that players can expect to see a completely new and revolutionary system.<br /><br /><br />Q9: Are there any plans to add female Roegadyn and male Miqo'te?<br /><br />A: Well, the character model designs are finished... But further details regarding their implementation have yet to be decided.<br /><br /><br />Q10: Will this FFXIV be more "new person friendly" than FFXI was? (Once everyone had been playing for years, it was hard for new people who started to be able to play, even with the "level sync" system that was added in later. Not to mention, finding armors/weapons in the Auction House was nearly impossible for new players. Barely anyone used the "mentor" system in FFXI either, or rather, there were barely any hosts.)<br /><br />A: We are developing in-depth introductory tutorials for new players. We are also designing the game while keeping in mind those users who enjoy playing solo, as well as those who can only log in for short periods of time. There will also be plenty of content for newcomers.<br /><br />But, on the other hand, there will also be complex battles requiring large numbers of people for players more interested in content of that nature.<br /><br />Our main goal is really to create a variety of ways in which to enjoy the game.<br /><br /><br />Q11: Will mobs actually drop armors/weapons like most MMOs or is FFXIV going to be like FFXI where you can only obtain these in Auction House or Crafting, or Raids?<br /><br />A: The complete details of this are still undecided.<br /><br />As in FFXI and other MMORPGS, some monsters will drop armor and weapons. However, items that drop in this manner are always a target for RMT exploitation. So to avoid any kind of player exclusion, most instances of these drops will yield items which cannot be passed between players.<br /><br />To put it broadly, there will be a number of ways available to obtain a number of different items.<br /><br /><br />Q12: Is crafting still going to be an integral and value added portion of the game and somewhat prohibitive so that a selected dedicated few will feel like they are part of the economy and adventuring aspects? (Crafting and not adventuring usually keeps me hooked)<br /><br />A: Players who wish to do so will be able to fully enjoy the game using only their crafting skills.<br /><br />The same can be said not only for those wishing to specialize solely in synthesis of items, but those who prefer combat or the gathering of materials as well. All of these types of players will be important to the game world. </blockquote><br /></span>

Don't Break the Shadowbind! - The man, the myth, the flavour: An interview with Donnie from BBQ.

Don't Break the Shadowbind! is our Wed-weekly column brought to you by Omoikitte. Endgame isn't just killing mobs and splitting up the drops, that is the easy part. Omoikitte will provide her insight on how to do the hard part: the administration and planning of events, deciding on how to divvy up the drops, and how to deal with that one whiny LS member that just won't shut up about their abjuration. An insight into a different method of leadership and a successful linkshell on Odin, Omoikitte talks to Donnie from BBQ about how the cogs mesh in this successful end-game linkshell.

We have heard me pontificate at great length about how my opinions on how a linkshell should be run. Today I am going to diverge from that path and explore the inner workings of a different linkshell, it is famous, it is infamous and it is undeniably a success in its own right. It’s a flavour, an out-door activity and a horde of gamers in FFXI. Welcome to BBQ.

The Essentials

The Man
Handle: Donnie
Orientation: Male
Age: 29
Origin: Bahrain, but lives in the UK now (*editors note – an enlightened man then ^.^
Ls Member: 5 years and counting.

Snapshot
Omoikitte>> How long have you been a part of BBQ?
Donnie>> urgggh
Donnie>> sad
Omoikitte>> LoL I’ve been running Versus for 5 years.
Donnie>> 5 years
Omoikitte>> So don’t worry I won’t judge.
Donnie>> yea lol
Donnie>> LOL
Omoikitte>> LOL

The Linkshell
Average Active Membership: 35-40
Leaders per Member base: 7-8

The Conversation – WARNING – LONG POST

Omoikitte>> Hellooo
Donnie>> Hellooo
Omoikitte>> Are you busy right now?

Donnie>> Not really, /sea all Donnie.
Omoikitte>> Still willing to do that interview? It was tactical asking.
Donnie>> Sure.
Donnie>> Its ZNM week and I am bored from taking pictures lol
Omoikitte>> It gets old after the first 10mins of taking pictures, a necessary evil.
Donnie>> Yea.
Omoikitte>> Mostly, I just want to talk to you about your opinions on running an end-game linkshell, what you think about how things should be done what its like being a part of BBQ, owning the shell etc etc. Points systems, a different perspective on running a long living ls other than my own.
Donnie>> Sure, ask anything, there are too many things to consider so if you ask specifically in each aspect, I will give a better answer.

Omoikitte>> Sooo, you are the big cheese, the main man as it were, of BBQ correct, you own the actual shell itself?
Donnie>> Not really, for a good reason BBQbank is the shell holder.
Omoikitte>> Oh? Do you retain executive control over the bank?
Donnie>> No, 2-3 people manage it, and if someone can’t do anymore, someone else does. The reason behind it mainly is just in case I quit, the LS won’t end. There were times that I have taken a break and it didn’t affect the LS. From the beginning our target was to have a system that everyone followed, not a person.
Omoikitte>> *amused* That has come up in the past, do you find it odd that you can go away for a long time and come back and everyone is just that slightly more engaged than before because you are there?
Donnie>> I felt happy it works.
Omoikitte>> Our? Was it a committee that decided to create BBQ?
Donnie>> We had a mission statement that everyone that joins must read, I never say I, lol I know it sounds cheesy but again, the mission statement was that we are not a HNM ls, and if you think you are joining a HNM ls, you are in the wrong ls. We are a group of “friend” that do end-game. So if you look at it from this perspective, it changes a lot of things. For example, there is no main leader, although people would come up to me in some cases, but it’s those cases that 50% say yes, 50% say no. I have to have the final say.
Omoikitte>> People still see you as the final point of arbitration correct?
Donnie>> Yea. But, if I am not around, it wasn’t a big issue either. They solve it through the system. W never have the same rules. Any suggestion or dilemma goes to leaders’ sub-forum. They discuss it and vote on the solutions. If there is a majority yes or no, then it is solved, if it’s still not solved, it is posted in BBQ public forum and all members vote, if it’s still not solved and there was no major agreement it’s where I step in.

Donnie>> I actually stripped myself from any role, so that everyone else is empowered and feel part of the linkshell, so you don’t end up having sub-groups within the ls that works for their own interests etc.
Omoikitte>> You definitely get that impression from the membership base, as quite a few camp out on our Vent server. (*editors note Vent = Ventrillo, peer to peer voice chat program)

Donnie>> Yea, so this way, even if the leader quit, it will have no impact on the ls.
Omoikitte>> You say you have a leader forum, how do you go about electing a new leader for the ls?
Donnie>> There are job descriptions for every role. There are no leaders for the ls, every event has a leader, and that leader is only the official one. For example, sea events has a leader that keeps a sheet of all pop items, managing the event, posting lists etc. and there is a sky leader miscellaneous leader, banker, recruiter, and every one of those roles have specific things they manage which we stated. There are also ZNM leaders. What else.. umm.. aside from all of that, everyone can lead any event. He has to report to the official leader for the farming results etc. and we give a bonus points to people that lead and take lists, to motivate members to lead rather than follow. There are 4 weeks rotation, Sea>Sky>ZNM>Misc.
Omoikitte>> So you have almost a mini network for each event that virtually self-regulates itself? What safeguards do you have to prevent abuse of that system?

Donnie>> Its 2 things. Since points are shared from all events, the item list states who gets what and it’s done automatically. This way, event leaders can’t choose who gets what and do what they please. If in some cases they do, members can revoke him as a leader and it happened before. Not because that leader abused the system, but because he actually cannot lead, so I asked him to step down and let others lead.
Omoikitte>> In a lot of ways this sounds very similar to the Roman senate, in its idealized form of course without the despotic Cesar.
Donnie>> lol Never though of it this way, but in all honestly, I take no credit for all this development in the system.

Donnie>> I can no go on how we actually formed…
Omoikitte>> Everyone enjoys a good “we came from this” story /grin
Donnie>> BBQ was a social LS before all the end-game shells here, and it consisted of about 8-10 people. Those people have joined Metoera, which later broke and reformed as CRX. Once it broke, the people in that shell decide to be in our own ls and make sure everyone joins are a friend or a friend of one of us. Metoera had a lot of problems with mass recruiting and shouting to get members. I was originally in LB, (*editors note LB = Limit Break) back when main NMs were Serket and Roc.
Omoikitte>> Ah the good old days LOL.
Donnie>> But I moved to Metoera because all of that ls were my friends and they were in rival ls. So to fast forward I wasn’t leader of the ls. The leader of that ls moved which was called UnitedBBQ, so we end up needing to reform.
Omoikitte>> To a different server?
Donnie>> Yea, Remora, because they hated CRX leader Jyuzax and don’t want to be near him or whatever.

Omoikitte>> That’s where a lot of the CRX US players went when they opened it up, to start afresh, but it panned didn’t it.
Donnie>> It didn’t go well.

Donnie>> Anyway, the guy was very strict etc, no fun, its “real” challenge etc and refused to recruit members, I don’t blame him. He was trying to be very small Ls, with very skillful players but it just doesn’t work and I had conflict with him in that issue where he left the server and I made BBQ.
Omoikitte>> Speaking from experience here, that comes with time and you can never force it you are correct.
Donnie>> Yea, the problem with small Ls’, one guy don’t log on that day and you can’t do anything and you know back in the day, its rare to find someone with 2 jobs lol.
Omoikitte>> LOL seriously, it was a big deal to have 1 job at 75.

Omoikitte>> Now BBQ has been through quite a number of reformations in its history hasn’t it.
Donnie>> It didn’t go through reform, its not like I quit or something, it was just a periodical thing we did, every time we want to clean ls from inactive members and that sort, the system remained the same. Anyone that comes back has to go through application.
Omoikitte>> And the undesirables?
Donnie>> Not really, although some I don’t like, not as their person but as their skill, but we never actually told them not to join again, that is a very important thing that I enforce many times so that every leader knows it.

Omoikitte>> Personal opinion doesn’t really come into it though, I have had times when people in my ls rub me completely the wrong way, but I don’t let it affect my decisions to use them in the ls, or to penalize their right to lot. I guess I mean more those people who were a negative aspect of the ls, rather than just someone you didn’t like.
Donnie>> If you let personal feeling comes in your way, you are due to over react or abuse the system but they do know that I can’t kick them from the ls, and this is very important. So we respect each other in events etc and actually OK with no. We are not really “friends” or let’s say online friends; anyone who thinks everyone in the ls likes everyone else is delusional.
Omoikitte>> More like work colleagues in a way then.
Donnie>> Yea
Omoikitte>> LOL agreed!

Donnie>> But you have to put a line where it doesn’t get blown out of proportions if you know those 2 don’t like each other, you must talk toe ach and/or invite them to a PT and it works really well. Many of them actually became friends and would be doing things from morning until nights. At the end of the day, most of those who don’t like each other would be because of a stupid incident happened years ago or something. All it took is someone to say sorry and it’s done.
Donnie>> Once BBQ started, the one I lead, I put the mission statement immediately on how its “friends” ls and everyone has to have this mindset, because you will never have a perfect system and you will end up in a brick wall sooner or later. If you are not strong together any issue or dilemma that happens will divide the ls.
Omoikitte>> Now on that point, BBQ does tend to have a reputation for being a bit possessed by the drama llama. What are your thoughts on that?

Donnie>> It’s a huge ls, if I understand you correctly; you mean drama within the ls or drama with other ls?
Omoikitte>> Both.
Donnie>> Oh, ok. Every ls has drama but believe it or not, everyone that came from a different ls or in similar situations, have said that BBQ has the best environment of all the ls’ he has been in and to add more, most people who left BBQ for other ls’ tried to come back and I am talking 99% of them. I only know 1 person who didn’t come back and stayed in the other ls. So there is drama but it’s not what people say and it happens rarely, and the best part of it, it always doesn’t mean anything.
Omoikitte>> Which is the inevitability of the gossip monger.
Donnie>> One you get people playing together 24/7 they end up fighting with each other sooner or later, not each other but I mean 1 of them will pick a fight with another player but they would laugh about it 10mins later. It’s like how family behaviour does.
Omoikitte>> Yes, people will understand that concept spins from any linkshell that is successful, otherwise it just falls apart.

Donnie>> Recent example would be last week where someone was angry because other player told him that he is slow in refresh order, so he left lol. So we knew he is having a bad day, 3 hours later he comes back in the ls and says he is sorry. We don’t /tell him asking him you will get kicked because you did this or you breaking the rules. The mindset is still we are group of friends. As for drama with other linkshells. Every ls had it and mostly the new ones. LB was a nemesis to TK (*editors note – TK = Team Kannican) and they ended up teaming up. We were nemesis to both of them and end up teaming up in a lot of events.

Omoikitte>> What do you think of your teaming with TK and LB? How profitable has it been for your selves and for the other ls’?
Donnie>> It does profit every ls socially if you have many cross friend the ls’ bond more together. Our team ups really on AV which was successful lol, recently in PW which is also successful because not 1 ls can get 40-50 people for that event. So although it’s a mutual benefit the one that drives it is because we have too many cross-over friends. Also we have been in agreements with all other ls’.
Omoikitte>> Do you think potentially that has arisen from the fact that rivalry between ls’ on Odin has never really been that aggressive in comparison to other linkshells, which in turn has allowed for these bridges to be forged?
Donnie>> It was Aggressive. But I have talked to Masago back in the day and other leaders to try to change this. People used to say “this ls did this to us”, we want to say “that person from that ls did this to us” and it works.

Omoikitte>> How long did it take for them to come around to the idea that it would be better to bury the hatchet?
Donnie>> Honestly I don’t know, it began maybe from a stupid thing tat no-one is allowed to use /say in camps and every ls leader should deduct points if someone does that. Believe it or not, it was a rule.
Omoikitte>> I have had that rule standing in Versus since day one. It comes with a warming that I will kick the member if they rise to any heckling from other linkshells, and I always enforced a rule of polite behaviour to other linkshells, so it isn’t that strange of a concept.
Donnie>> Yea, true.
Donnie>> Then the other effect happened after so many end game events emerged, Einherjar, Salvage etc. it made a lot of cross-ls’ linkshells. But to see that rule all other ls leaders agree on is what was strange. Lol. We were to a point where we random before each window to decide who claim the NM before SE patched the delay in spawning. You know ironically enough, I can’t find an Ls now that we have a rivalry with.
Omoikitte>> But that is definitely a positive step towards linkshell co-operation, a sense of fair-mindedness rather than obstructive behaviour, and really actually merging to work as a team for certain events was just the next step along the path in that respect.

Donnie>> The true test of any team is not when they are successful, its when they fail at something or reach a brick wall.
Omoikitte>> And how they deal with it.
Donnie>> Yea, I remember one point, where I went to Odin’s Chamber as PLD/BLM, yes you can laugh -.-, and made the ls fail, timed out on 1%. The members took it lightly and laughed about it, you can’t expect a success rate of 100%.
Omoikitte>> You actually need the failures to remind the membership that you are not invulnerable, as a point to retain perspective.
Donnie>> Yea, that reminded me of how members contribute, one of the main things I found in beginning of ls, there is no way 1 leader can handle everything for the ls, in 1 case, he can abuse it and in another case, he will get burned out. So I split the events to leaders.
(*editors note – I actually paused for a moment at this point to point out that I very much run the linkshell with a pyramidal structure of leadership rather than a committee)
Donnie>> I think it all has to do with changing mindsets towards admins, for example not to call them admins but to call them leaders up to a point where people would be confused who is the leader and find out.. there is no leader, it’s the system that leads everyone.
Donnie>> We are in the matrix!
Omoikitte>> LOL
Donnie>> lol
Donnie>> There are many instances where new members don’t know who is the leader, it was funny. But from the same point, its how our system developed, suggestion form was always filled with options to improve and we continued to vote on this and that until we finally arrive here.
Omoikitte>> Tweaking and refining what you do.

Donnie>> To explain to you the ls rules now would be 10 pages of text or more, but its from years of developing. There was no ls doing point system back when we started, or at least as the way we do it, and I never heard of anyone using item list + point list. We had point list as a matter of value and then we have PP list, which is a formula that is used on the point system to give you a value for items. This formula includes bonus for
1. How long you been waiting for that item.
2. How many points you got… and something else, LOL even I can’t remember now.
Omoikitte>> LOL
Donnie>> And then you get penalties such as 1. If you get a critical item recently, this penalty vanish over time so we don’t get 2 person to leech items, also penalty if you are below 20% activity, but a bonus if you are 90% active.
Omoikitte>> It equates to an even distribution of reward amongst the members.
Donnie>> Thos bonus values though, were tweaked until the item list produced was fair, at the beginning we gave high bonus for criteria that messed up the item list, so it took us some time to adjust all those values.
Omoikitte>> Did you vote each time you tweaked the rules?
Donnie>> Yes, in leaders forum, if leaders do not agree, it goes to public forum where all members vote.

Donnie>> Then we go into the banking thing, there are two channels of money.
Omoikitte>> I know you recently announced a big shake up on how you do the banking in the ls.
Donnie>> Yea, this is a perfect example, first the reason behind leader forum and not putting every single action to vote. It’s because you need speed, if you put things in public as you just showed, it gets huge and takes more time to solve. So if leaders agree, it certainly means members agree, but if leaders divide, then members should come and give their input. It’s like taking a sample vote, or taking a full vote.
Omoikitte>> That makes sense.
Donnie>> Now for the BBQ money, it started when other ls’ began to show up relics here and there. So some leaders started saying why don’t BBQ sponsor relics like other ls? I was on the other side refusing that matter.
Omoikitte>> Why?
Donnie>> Because it’s a narrow view, “this ls has relics more than us!” it’s very childish in my opinion lol, and it shouldn’t be the comparable aspect between ls. In fact I don’t find anything to compare between ls.
Donnie>> Who got the most HNMs?
Donnie>> Who kill fastest?
Donnie>> There are too many ways to list your achievement and argue that you are the best, so the best thing to do is not to compare your ls but rather just feel happy on what you are as a group and what you have accomplished. I mean its funny how people used to say “we kill more” then it changes to “we killed with less people” then it changes to “we kill in this amount of time”.

Donnie>> The other main reason was I am not sure how you can take 150,000,000G and give it to 1 person where everyone worked for that amount, doesn’t make sense. Other ls’ are mostly the leaders who get relics, so that’s a “?” mark, what kind of example would you be setting to your members if your leeching all the money to yourself? I bet you the main reason people would stay on those ls’ are just to get item, there is no feeling that they are having fun with friends, it’s just a job and then they do other miscellaneous events with their friends.
Donnie>> Anyway, we put it to the main vote and people suggested the idea of splitting the gil each month then another person suggested another thing, we end up having a really nice idea. 50% of the gil treated as bonus purely based on points accumulated per person each month, has nothing to do with PP or activity, and the other 50% would remain till auctioned off every Sunday 30p/500k. So every active person in the end would be receiving about 4-8 million a month and that doesn’t come with a deduction of points, just a bonus, this way we removed all the excess gil on the bank. Just keep “working capital” for each month.

Donnie>>For recruitment it’s sad, because I had 2 people who are my friends wanted to join the ls, but they couldn’t, and its good because no-one can be blamed. LoL
Omoikitte>> Why couldn’t they join?
Donnie>> 2 sponsors, fill in application, discuss it for a week, close that topic, open poll for a week, need to get 70% to join.
Donnie>> One of them I think because he didn’t have good jobs, in fact he only had DRG and no merits >.>;
Donnie>> The other was close, he had 64% yes.
Omoikitte>> HEY! Nothing wrong with Dragoon!
Donnie>> Exactly lol
Omoikitte>> There is a lot wrong with no merits, that is just idleness.
Donnie>> Yeah I told him to work on his merits at least and apply again, you can apply again.

At this point we got completely off topic and just started waxing lyrical about how cool DRG is as a job, and how bad DRG are a travesty. Thank you to Donnie for spending a few hours chatting to me about various aspects of his linkshell. I hope you all enjoyed this small window into BBQ.

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't Break the Shadowbind!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is our Wed-weekly column brought to you by Omoikitte. Endgame isn't just killing mobs and splitting up the drops, that is the easy part. Omoikitte will provide her insight on how to do the hard part: the administration and planning of events, deciding on how to divvy up the drops, and how to deal with that one whiny LS member that just won't shut up about their abjuration. An insight into a different method of leadership and a successful linkshell on Odin, Omoikitte talks to Donnie from BBQ about how the cogs mesh in this successful end-game linkshell.</span><br /><br />We have heard me pontificate at great length about how my opinions on how a linkshell should be run. Today I am going to diverge from that path and explore the inner workings of a different linkshell, it is famous, it is infamous and it is undeniably a success in its own right. It’s a flavour, an out-door activity and a horde of gamers in FFXI. Welcome to BBQ.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);font-size:130%;" >The Essentials</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">The Man</span><br />Handle: Donnie<br />Orientation: Male<br />Age: 29<br />Origin: Bahrain, but lives in the UK now (*editors note – an enlightened man then ^.^<br />Ls Member: 5 years and counting.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-style: italic;">Snapshot</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Omoikitte>> How long have you been a part of BBQ?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Donnie>> urgggh</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Donnie>> sad</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Omoikitte>> LoL I’ve been running Versus for 5 years.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Donnie>> 5 years</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Omoikitte>> So don’t worry I won’t judge.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Donnie>> yea lol</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Donnie>> LOL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Omoikitte>> LOL</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">The Linkshell</span><br />Average Active Membership: 35-40<br />Leaders per Member base: 7-8<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Conversation</span></span> – <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">WARNING – LONG POST</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Hellooo<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Hellooo<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Are you busy right now?<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Not really, /sea all Donnie.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Still willing to do that interview? It was tactical asking.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Sure.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Its ZNM week and I am bored from taking pictures lol<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> It gets old after the first 10mins of taking pictures, a necessary evil.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Mostly, I just want to talk to you about your opinions on running an end-game linkshell, what you think about how things should be done what its like being a part of BBQ, owning the shell etc etc. Points systems, a different perspective on running a long living ls other than my own.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Sure, ask anything, there are too many things to consider so if you ask specifically in each aspect, I will give a better answer.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Sooo, you are the big cheese, the main man as it were, of BBQ correct, you own the actual shell itself?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Not really, for a good reason BBQbank is the shell holder.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Oh? Do you retain executive control over the bank?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> No, 2-3 people manage it, and if someone can’t do anymore, someone else does. The reason behind it mainly is just in case I quit, the LS won’t end. There were times that I have taken a break and it didn’t affect the LS. From the beginning our target was to have a system that everyone followed, not a person.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> *amused* That has come up in the past, do you find it odd that you can go away for a long time and come back and everyone is just that slightly more engaged than before because you are there?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> I felt happy it works.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Our? Was it a committee that decided to create BBQ?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> We had a mission statement that everyone that joins must read, I never say I, lol I know it sounds cheesy but again, the mission statement was that we are not a HNM ls, and if you think you are joining a HNM ls, you are in the wrong ls. We are a group of “friend” that do end-game. So if you look at it from this perspective, it changes a lot of things. For example, there is no main leader, although people would come up to me in some cases, but it’s those cases that 50% say yes, 50% say no. I have to have the final say.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> People still see you as the final point of arbitration correct?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea. But, if I am not around, it wasn’t a big issue either. They solve it through the system. W never have the same rules. Any suggestion or dilemma goes to leaders’ sub-forum. They discuss it and vote on the solutions. If there is a majority yes or no, then it is solved, if it’s still not solved, it is posted in BBQ public forum and all members vote, if it’s still not solved and there was no major agreement it’s where I step in.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> I actually stripped myself from any role, so that everyone else is empowered and feel part of the linkshell, so you don’t end up having sub-groups within the ls that works for their own interests etc.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> You definitely get that impression from the membership base, as quite a few camp out on our Vent server. (*editors note Vent = Ventrillo, peer to peer voice chat program)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea, so this way, even if the leader quit, it will have no impact on the ls.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> You say you have a leader forum, how do you go about electing a new leader for the ls?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> There are job descriptions for every role. There are no leaders for the ls, every event has a leader, and that leader is only the official one. For example, sea events has a leader that keeps a sheet of all pop items, managing the event, posting lists etc. and there is a sky leader miscellaneous leader, banker, recruiter, and every one of those roles have specific things they manage which we stated. There are also ZNM leaders. What else.. umm.. aside from all of that, everyone can lead any event. He has to report to the official leader for the farming results etc. and we give a bonus points to people that lead and take lists, to motivate members to lead rather than follow. There are 4 weeks rotation, Sea>Sky>ZNM>Misc.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> So you have almost a mini network for each event that virtually self-regulates itself? What safeguards do you have to prevent abuse of that system?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Its 2 things. Since points are shared from all events, the item list states who gets what and it’s done automatically. This way, event leaders can’t choose who gets what and do what they please. If in some cases they do, members can revoke him as a leader and it happened before. Not because that leader abused the system, but because he actually cannot lead, so I asked him to step down and let others lead.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> In a lot of ways this sounds very similar to the Roman senate, in its idealized form of course without the despotic Cesar.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> lol Never though of it this way, but in all honestly, I take no credit for all this development in the system.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> I can no go on how we actually formed…<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Everyone enjoys a good “we came from this” story /grin<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> BBQ was a social LS before all the end-game shells here, and it consisted of about 8-10 people. Those people have joined Metoera, which later broke and reformed as CRX. Once it broke, the people in that shell decide to be in our own ls and make sure everyone joins are a friend or a friend of one of us. Metoera had a lot of problems with mass recruiting and shouting to get members. I was originally in LB, (*editors note LB = Limit Break) back when main NMs were Serket and Roc.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Ah the good old days LOL.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> But I moved to Metoera because all of that ls were my friends and they were in rival ls. So to fast forward I wasn’t leader of the ls. The leader of that ls moved which was called UnitedBBQ, so we end up needing to reform.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> To a different server?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea, Remora, because they hated CRX leader Jyuzax and don’t want to be near him or whatever.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> That’s where a lot of the CRX US players went when they opened it up, to start afresh, but it panned didn’t it.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> It didn’t go well.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Anyway, the guy was very strict etc, no fun, its “real” challenge etc and refused to recruit members, I don’t blame him. He was trying to be very small Ls, with very skillful players but it just doesn’t work and I had conflict with him in that issue where he left the server and I made BBQ.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Speaking from experience here, that comes with time and you can never force it you are correct.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea, the problem with small Ls’, one guy don’t log on that day and you can’t do anything and you know back in the day, its rare to find someone with 2 jobs lol.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> LOL seriously, it was a big deal to have 1 job at 75.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Now BBQ has been through quite a number of reformations in its history hasn’t it.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> It didn’t go through reform, its not like I quit or something, it was just a periodical thing we did, every time we want to clean ls from inactive members and that sort, the system remained the same. Anyone that comes back has to go through application.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> And the undesirables?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Not really, although some I don’t like, not as their person but as their skill, but we never actually told them not to join again, that is a very important thing that I enforce many times so that every leader knows it.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Personal opinion doesn’t really come into it though, I have had times when people in my ls rub me completely the wrong way, but I don’t let it affect my decisions to use them in the ls, or to penalize their right to lot. I guess I mean more those people who were a negative aspect of the ls, rather than just someone you didn’t like.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> If you let personal feeling comes in your way, you are due to over react or abuse the system but they do know that I can’t kick them from the ls, and this is very important. So we respect each other in events etc and actually OK with no. We are not really “friends” or let’s say online friends; anyone who thinks everyone in the ls likes everyone else is delusional.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> More like work colleagues in a way then.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> LOL agreed!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> But you have to put a line where it doesn’t get blown out of proportions if you know those 2 don’t like each other, you must talk toe ach and/or invite them to a PT and it works really well. Many of them actually became friends and would be doing things from morning until nights. At the end of the day, most of those who don’t like each other would be because of a stupid incident happened years ago or something. All it took is someone to say sorry and it’s done.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Once BBQ started, the one I lead, I put the mission statement immediately on how its “friends” ls and everyone has to have this mindset, because you will never have a perfect system and you will end up in a brick wall sooner or later. If you are not strong together any issue or dilemma that happens will divide the ls.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Now on that point, BBQ does tend to have a reputation for being a bit possessed by the drama llama. What are your thoughts on that?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> It’s a huge ls, if I understand you correctly; you mean drama within the ls or drama with other ls?<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Both.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Oh, ok. Every ls has drama but believe it or not, everyone that came from a different ls or in similar situations, have said that BBQ has the best environment of all the ls’ he has been in and to add more, most people who left BBQ for other ls’ tried to come back and I am talking 99% of them. I only know 1 person who didn’t come back and stayed in the other ls. So there is drama but it’s not what people say and it happens rarely, and the best part of it, it always doesn’t mean anything.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Which is the inevitability of the gossip monger.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> One you get people playing together 24/7 they end up fighting with each other sooner or later, not each other but I mean 1 of them will pick a fight with another player but they would laugh about it 10mins later. It’s like how family behaviour does.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Yes, people will understand that concept spins from any linkshell that is successful, otherwise it just falls apart.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Recent example would be last week where someone was angry because other player told him that he is slow in refresh order, so he left lol. So we knew he is having a bad day, 3 hours later he comes back in the ls and says he is sorry. We don’t /tell him asking him you will get kicked because you did this or you breaking the rules. The mindset is still we are group of friends. As for drama with other linkshells. Every ls had it and mostly the new ones. LB was a nemesis to TK (*editors note – TK = Team Kannican) and they ended up teaming up. We were nemesis to both of them and end up teaming up in a lot of events.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> What do you think of your teaming with TK and LB? How profitable has it been for your selves and for the other ls’?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> It does profit every ls socially if you have many cross friend the ls’ bond more together. Our team ups really on AV which was successful lol, recently in PW which is also successful because not 1 ls can get 40-50 people for that event. So although it’s a mutual benefit the one that drives it is because we have too many cross-over friends. Also we have been in agreements with all other ls’.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Do you think potentially that has arisen from the fact that rivalry between ls’ on Odin has never really been that aggressive in comparison to other linkshells, which in turn has allowed for these bridges to be forged?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> It was Aggressive. But I have talked to Masago back in the day and other leaders to try to change this. People used to say “this ls did this to us”, we want to say “that person from that ls did this to us” and it works.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> How long did it take for them to come around to the idea that it would be better to bury the hatchet?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Honestly I don’t know, it began maybe from a stupid thing tat no-one is allowed to use /say in camps and every ls leader should deduct points if someone does that. Believe it or not, it was a rule.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> I have had that rule standing in Versus since day one. It comes with a warming that I will kick the member if they rise to any heckling from other linkshells, and I always enforced a rule of polite behaviour to other linkshells, so it isn’t that strange of a concept.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea, true.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Then the other effect happened after so many end game events emerged, Einherjar, Salvage etc. it made a lot of cross-ls’ linkshells. But to see that rule all other ls leaders agree on is what was strange. Lol. We were to a point where we random before each window to decide who claim the NM before SE patched the delay in spawning. You know ironically enough, I can’t find an Ls now that we have a rivalry with.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> But that is definitely a positive step towards linkshell co-operation, a sense of fair-mindedness rather than obstructive behaviour, and really actually merging to work as a team for certain events was just the next step along the path in that respect.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> The true test of any team is not when they are successful, its when they fail at something or reach a brick wall.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> And how they deal with it.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea, I remember one point, where I went to Odin’s Chamber as PLD/BLM, yes you can laugh -.-, and made the ls fail, timed out on 1%. The members took it lightly and laughed about it, you can’t expect a success rate of 100%.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> You actually need the failures to remind the membership that you are not invulnerable, as a point to retain perspective.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea, that reminded me of how members contribute, one of the main things I found in beginning of ls, there is no way 1 leader can handle everything for the ls, in 1 case, he can abuse it and in another case, he will get burned out. So I split the events to leaders.<br />(*editors note – I actually paused for a moment at this point to point out that I very much run the linkshell with a pyramidal structure of leadership rather than a committee)<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> I think it all has to do with changing mindsets towards admins, for example not to call them admins but to call them leaders up to a point where people would be confused who is the leader and find out.. there is no leader, it’s the system that leads everyone.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> We are in the matrix!<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> LOL<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> lol<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> There are many instances where new members don’t know who is the leader, it was funny. But from the same point, its how our system developed, suggestion form was always filled with options to improve and we continued to vote on this and that until we finally arrive here.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Tweaking and refining what you do.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> To explain to you the ls rules now would be 10 pages of text or more, but its from years of developing. There was no ls doing point system back when we started, or at least as the way we do it, and I never heard of anyone using item list + point list. We had point list as a matter of value and then we have PP list, which is a formula that is used on the point system to give you a value for items. This formula includes bonus for<br />1. How long you been waiting for that item.<br />2. How many points you got… and something else, LOL even I can’t remember now.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> LOL<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> And then you get penalties such as 1. If you get a critical item recently, this penalty vanish over time so we don’t get 2 person to leech items, also penalty if you are below 20% activity, but a bonus if you are 90% active.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> It equates to an even distribution of reward amongst the members.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Thos bonus values though, were tweaked until the item list produced was fair, at the beginning we gave high bonus for criteria that messed up the item list, so it took us some time to adjust all those values.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Did you vote each time you tweaked the rules?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yes, in leaders forum, if leaders do not agree, it goes to public forum where all members vote.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Then we go into the banking thing, there are two channels of money.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> I know you recently announced a big shake up on how you do the banking in the ls.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yea, this is a perfect example, first the reason behind leader forum and not putting every single action to vote. It’s because you need speed, if you put things in public as you just showed, it gets huge and takes more time to solve. So if leaders agree, it certainly means members agree, but if leaders divide, then members should come and give their input. It’s like taking a sample vote, or taking a full vote.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> That makes sense.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Now for the BBQ money, it started when other ls’ began to show up relics here and there. So some leaders started saying why don’t BBQ sponsor relics like other ls? I was on the other side refusing that matter.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Why?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Because it’s a narrow view, “this ls has relics more than us!” it’s very childish in my opinion lol, and it shouldn’t be the comparable aspect between ls. In fact I don’t find anything to compare between ls.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Who got the most HNMs?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Who kill fastest?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> There are too many ways to list your achievement and argue that you are the best, so the best thing to do is not to compare your ls but rather just feel happy on what you are as a group and what you have accomplished. I mean its funny how people used to say “we kill more” then it changes to “we killed with less people” then it changes to “we kill in this amount of time”.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> The other main reason was I am not sure how you can take 150,000,000G and give it to 1 person where everyone worked for that amount, doesn’t make sense. Other ls’ are mostly the leaders who get relics, so that’s a “?” mark, what kind of example would you be setting to your members if your leeching all the money to yourself? I bet you the main reason people would stay on those ls’ are just to get item, there is no feeling that they are having fun with friends, it’s just a job and then they do other miscellaneous events with their friends.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Anyway, we put it to the main vote and people suggested the idea of splitting the gil each month then another person suggested another thing, we end up having a really nice idea. 50% of the gil treated as bonus purely based on points accumulated per person each month, has nothing to do with PP or activity, and the other 50% would remain till auctioned off every Sunday 30p/500k. So every active person in the end would be receiving about 4-8 million a month and that doesn’t come with a deduction of points, just a bonus, this way we removed all the excess gil on the bank. Just keep “working capital” for each month.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>>For recruitment it’s sad, because I had 2 people who are my friends wanted to join the ls, but they couldn’t, and its good because no-one can be blamed. LoL<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> Why couldn’t they join?<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> 2 sponsors, fill in application, discuss it for a week, close that topic, open poll for a week, need to get 70% to join.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> One of them I think because he didn’t have good jobs, in fact he only had DRG and no merits >.>;<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> The other was close, he had 64% yes.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> HEY! Nothing wrong with Dragoon!<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Exactly lol<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Omoikitte</span>>> There is a lot wrong with no merits, that is just idleness.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Donnie</span>>> Yeah I told him to work on his merits at least and apply again, you can apply again.<br /><br />At this point we got completely off topic and just started waxing lyrical about how cool DRG is as a job, and how bad DRG are a travesty. Thank you to Donnie for spending a few hours chatting to me about various aspects of his linkshell. I hope you all enjoyed this small window into BBQ.<br /></span>