Post by Kowz on Oct 26, 2011 6:34:09 GMT -8
Alright folks, most of you reading this will probably have been forced to considering how slow its been lately, but that hopefully is about to change with the release of BF3.
Table of Contexts
...1. BF3 Server[/u][/color]
......1.1 Idea
......1.2 Cost
......1.3 Considering factors
......1.4 Details[/size]
...2. Recruitment[/u][/color]
......2.1 Idea
......2.2 How
......2.3 To what extent?
......2.4 Details[/size]
...3. Subjects of Discussion[/u][/color]
......3.1 Power
......3.2 To server or not to server?
......3.3 Interest levels?
......3.4 Goals[/size]
BF3 Server
1.1 Idea
So here is the current idea on my mind: We could probably get a 32 player server for six months if everyone is on board with it. How? I would front the bill. Assuming everyone is on board with the idea we would discuss how we would approach the challenge of making IHG a friendly small platoon into a server owning mega platoon. Obviously these forums would tag along side it.
The concept of us owning a server would have the backbone that if everyone wanted to we would recruit a lot of people, make the server popular, etc., and after six months have enough people interested in it to have enough donations semi-annually to help me pay for the server. It would require 100% participation from our current little home of people.
1.2 Cost
It would be roughly $200-240 semi-annually. Also will save ~$8-10 monthly on my current Ventrilo server if we were to incorporate the one they sell with their gameservers. In a sense I will be saving some money by incorporating a ventrilo server into it. Assuming we have 10% of our active players donate $10 semi-annually we would have aim to have at least 200 active players over a six month course. It is a hefty challenge, but not one that is insurmountable.
We could also make up some of the cost by selling reserve slots. $4 a month or $20 semi-annually would probably be fine. We cannot sell it cheaper because we literally can't sell an infinite amount of passes considering it is a 32 man server. (This is all assuming we run a reserve slot server!)
1.3 Considering Factors
Diablo 3, DotA2, and CS:GO will all have IHG counterparts, probably including many of the same faces, and will be factored into the idea of a BF3 server. I can personally say I will probably play BF3 for a few years. It will also be the only game we will run a server on until CS:GO comes out, which is probably at least two years away. Having a BF3 server could be the boost we need to bring back the numbers we saw in DrK in its prime. Perhaps even more.
Another thing important to note would be the administration of such a server. I assume a few of the common faces in Vent will be suitable admins, but for sure we would have to get more. The administration could make or break the community that would form around the server. A set of rules would be laid out and we would have to be fairly strict on enforcing our rules onto our admins.
1.4 Details
There are many places to buy a server from, but one of the longest standing names out there with a fairly good price is GameServers. $1.29 per slot with 10% discount for ordering semi-annually with a ventrilo server that is cheaper than my current one when you buy it with the game server.
The map rotation will be decided upon a vote, assuming we do end up getting a server, and will probably "specialize" in smaller maps. At the moment there are no servers that specialize with a 24/7 this map. The only specialization is the game type. The map pool that comes to mind is Operation Métro as our no vehicle map, Seine Crossing as our limited vehicle map, and Tehran Highway as our heavy vehicle map. (Note: Tehran Highway is not really that heavy on vehicles, I would propose a server that caters more to infantry than vehicles. We could also add a map with jets if it was a popular desire.)
It will be located in Los Angeles or Dallas/Chicago. Sorry to all those in Europe.
Recruitment
2.1 Idea
IHG is a reform, or a remnant, of a distant organization known as DrK. Most of you know this, and this organization had a prime with upwards a hundred people. We have been in a recession regarding recruitment and activity, but we knew the boom of the next generation of clans/guilds/etc. would begin as soon as BF3 is released. That time has come. As the leader, I have my own plans for our group, but I not only want to hear what everyone wants or would like, but how much they are willing to put in for their own goals. This is especially true if your goals are in a line with mine which is grow, grow, and grow.
2.2 How
How would we perform the act of "recruiting"? Well, that process can be done many, many ways. The best way is to do a little of all the ways. It leads to a diverse community and doesn't make any one group of recruits feeling superior over another. To list a few of the areas we would target: Big forums/communities a member might already be a part of, one that preferably is not its own gaming organization(no stealing!), in the game itself through making friends/asking if people are interested, and through advertisements on our own future "server".
2.3 To what extent?
We will recruit many, many new faces in an ideal world. However, that scenario requires a dedicated effort from not only myself, but by the people around me willing to help. If no one is willing then it will be limited due to my own abilities. With a handful of individuals working toward the goal of getting more recruits you not only get more recruits, but you boost each others confidence in the matter by simply being there and contributing.
If we do get a server it will be a 32 player server that is 24/7 rush, and maybe even 24/7 small map rush. This means we wont have the capabilities to grow into the thousands, but that is already a challenge we might not tackle for many months to come, if ever. We might grow from a handful to several dozen in the coming weeks, and maybe even more depending on our success with recruiting. There is also the possibility if people simply do not want to exert the effort to recruit that in a few weeks our numbers will have only doubled, or tripled, which puts us at less than twenty.
2.4 Details
Recruitment will be open to nearly everyone. There will be a set of rules for the recruits to follow, such as our forum's rules, server rules(assuming we get a server), ventrilo rules, and common courtesy among members. A specialized recruitment of particularly skilled individuals has yet to be decided. We will not recruit brain-dead individuals or individuals with obvious character flaws, but until formally determined the recruitment will be very open. One possibility will be the recruitment of many into the Platoon, but very few into the core "team". Leaving the team make-up primarily skilled, hand picked individuals. This will inherently create a division among members and will have to be approached very carefully.
Requirements for recruitment will be low. We will determine later if we will branch out very far and if we will get a server, but assuming we do neither the requirements will be Ventrilo and a forum account. We will urge members to use the forums and ventrilo.
Until determined we will not allow friends of friends to be recruited. That means if a friend of someone in the clan is let in they cannot guarantee entry for their friend assuming that friend is not friends with anyone but the newly recruited friend. We will most likely be very lenient in this case, but we may decide to put a cap on our recruits and this is one sure way to over populate the platoon/clan/guild/organization with possible inactive names. This exception can easily be diverted by simply becoming friends with the locals and then changing it from "friend of a friend" to "my friend". (although I do hope we get to the point where we have too many faces!)
Subjects of Discussion
3.1 Power
There are three forms of power that are present in IHG at this time and a possible fourth. These powers are: Ventrilo admin, forum moderator, platoon admin, and the possible server admin. The few people with vent admin know my principle on power. It is only given to those that can do good with it and when the need is present. It is not a toy and it is a responsibility that has its expectations. The rules are relatively light and the head of power is lenient, but when it comes to a few areas of topic the rules come clashing down. There are no ifs, ands, or buts when it comes to a few of these rules.
At the moment our humble abode in the IHG ventrilo serves only a dozen and a halfish people and the amount of ventrilo admins is perfect for such a situation. However, in the future we will need more. Ventrilo admin in particular is special. Anyone who seeks it must complete a set challenge. The challenge is rather spontaneous and they only appear when an admin is needed. To top it off, the challenge is only given to those who are trusted to do the job well. Regarding ventrilo admin the principle is you want at least one on at all times when there are people in the vent. If our numbers grow four fold expect 2-3 more admins. If they grow to inhabit a hundred or more active people then expect 3-5 more admins. Pass that point, though, there is nothing, The vent will probably never have more than ten admins because it is not needed.
Forum moderators will also be needed in the future, but at the moment we can literally pass with one, myself, considering we are dry as the Sahara at the moment. However, if the situation arises that the forums are actively used then expect at least one section moderator for each active section and another 4-5 moderators on top of that. We will probably never need more than fifteen mods no matter how large we become. Realistically we will probably sit on three to four for a long, long time.
Platoon admins can invite people and do other nifty stuff, but will probably be restricted from doing so unless asked of. The number of these will be low. Less than five for a long time. Besides myself, the only things the platoon admins will do is accept invites/applications to the platoon.
Server admin. Hoy, boy. This is a big one. Assuming we get a large community going you can expect us aiming to have two admins on at all times during peak hours and one "around" at all times of the day. This means we will probably have our officers with Admin and probably sit at a lofty 5-10 of these. As time goes on we might get another 5 afterward. There will be no direct buying of admin, but donations may put a person, depending on their character, at a possible chance for being a weakened admin so they can insure themselves a safe environment when other admins might be away.
3.2 To server, or not to server?
When contemplating the purchase of a server you must consider the practicality of the challenge ahead. The running of the server will be done by the company you purchase from, but what about keeping it populated? Moderating it? The decisions behind the maps, rules, and more determine the success of it. The amount of effort exerted shows through the server and in end brings people to it and hopefully gets them to cling on to it.
We will discuss as a group the pros and cons of owning a server and determine our course of action from there, but ponder it and come up with arguments for and against it. Remember all the variables to our success including competition. There needs to be an appeal or we will not attract anyone. My idea of an appeal is a small map only server that focuses on infantry play. Let me hear what you think at the soon to be planned "meeting" and in this thread.
3.3 Interest levels?
How interested are you in making IHG a big name? Not so interested? Very interested? Let me hear about it, please! It will be discussed at our next "meeting". I am hoping everyone is on board to make our clan/guild/organization a big name with lots of faces coming and going around the clock, but I wont know for sure until everyone gives their opinion on the matter.
3.4 Goals
The goals that I have will be listed here. They are short, but they are reachable, attainable goals.
If you read this all then you are a winner in my book. Let everyone know about this thread! IT IS IMPORTANT!!!
Table of Contexts
...1. BF3 Server[/u][/color]
......1.1 Idea
......1.2 Cost
......1.3 Considering factors
......1.4 Details[/size]
...2. Recruitment[/u][/color]
......2.1 Idea
......2.2 How
......2.3 To what extent?
......2.4 Details[/size]
...3. Subjects of Discussion[/u][/color]
......3.1 Power
......3.2 To server or not to server?
......3.3 Interest levels?
......3.4 Goals[/size]
BF3 Server
1.1 Idea
So here is the current idea on my mind: We could probably get a 32 player server for six months if everyone is on board with it. How? I would front the bill. Assuming everyone is on board with the idea we would discuss how we would approach the challenge of making IHG a friendly small platoon into a server owning mega platoon. Obviously these forums would tag along side it.
The concept of us owning a server would have the backbone that if everyone wanted to we would recruit a lot of people, make the server popular, etc., and after six months have enough people interested in it to have enough donations semi-annually to help me pay for the server. It would require 100% participation from our current little home of people.
1.2 Cost
It would be roughly $200-240 semi-annually. Also will save ~$8-10 monthly on my current Ventrilo server if we were to incorporate the one they sell with their gameservers. In a sense I will be saving some money by incorporating a ventrilo server into it. Assuming we have 10% of our active players donate $10 semi-annually we would have aim to have at least 200 active players over a six month course. It is a hefty challenge, but not one that is insurmountable.
We could also make up some of the cost by selling reserve slots. $4 a month or $20 semi-annually would probably be fine. We cannot sell it cheaper because we literally can't sell an infinite amount of passes considering it is a 32 man server. (This is all assuming we run a reserve slot server!)
1.3 Considering Factors
Diablo 3, DotA2, and CS:GO will all have IHG counterparts, probably including many of the same faces, and will be factored into the idea of a BF3 server. I can personally say I will probably play BF3 for a few years. It will also be the only game we will run a server on until CS:GO comes out, which is probably at least two years away. Having a BF3 server could be the boost we need to bring back the numbers we saw in DrK in its prime. Perhaps even more.
Another thing important to note would be the administration of such a server. I assume a few of the common faces in Vent will be suitable admins, but for sure we would have to get more. The administration could make or break the community that would form around the server. A set of rules would be laid out and we would have to be fairly strict on enforcing our rules onto our admins.
1.4 Details
There are many places to buy a server from, but one of the longest standing names out there with a fairly good price is GameServers. $1.29 per slot with 10% discount for ordering semi-annually with a ventrilo server that is cheaper than my current one when you buy it with the game server.
The map rotation will be decided upon a vote, assuming we do end up getting a server, and will probably "specialize" in smaller maps. At the moment there are no servers that specialize with a 24/7 this map. The only specialization is the game type. The map pool that comes to mind is Operation Métro as our no vehicle map, Seine Crossing as our limited vehicle map, and Tehran Highway as our heavy vehicle map. (Note: Tehran Highway is not really that heavy on vehicles, I would propose a server that caters more to infantry than vehicles. We could also add a map with jets if it was a popular desire.)
It will be located in Los Angeles or Dallas/Chicago. Sorry to all those in Europe.
Recruitment
2.1 Idea
IHG is a reform, or a remnant, of a distant organization known as DrK. Most of you know this, and this organization had a prime with upwards a hundred people. We have been in a recession regarding recruitment and activity, but we knew the boom of the next generation of clans/guilds/etc. would begin as soon as BF3 is released. That time has come. As the leader, I have my own plans for our group, but I not only want to hear what everyone wants or would like, but how much they are willing to put in for their own goals. This is especially true if your goals are in a line with mine which is grow, grow, and grow.
2.2 How
How would we perform the act of "recruiting"? Well, that process can be done many, many ways. The best way is to do a little of all the ways. It leads to a diverse community and doesn't make any one group of recruits feeling superior over another. To list a few of the areas we would target: Big forums/communities a member might already be a part of, one that preferably is not its own gaming organization(no stealing!), in the game itself through making friends/asking if people are interested, and through advertisements on our own future "server".
2.3 To what extent?
We will recruit many, many new faces in an ideal world. However, that scenario requires a dedicated effort from not only myself, but by the people around me willing to help. If no one is willing then it will be limited due to my own abilities. With a handful of individuals working toward the goal of getting more recruits you not only get more recruits, but you boost each others confidence in the matter by simply being there and contributing.
If we do get a server it will be a 32 player server that is 24/7 rush, and maybe even 24/7 small map rush. This means we wont have the capabilities to grow into the thousands, but that is already a challenge we might not tackle for many months to come, if ever. We might grow from a handful to several dozen in the coming weeks, and maybe even more depending on our success with recruiting. There is also the possibility if people simply do not want to exert the effort to recruit that in a few weeks our numbers will have only doubled, or tripled, which puts us at less than twenty.
2.4 Details
Recruitment will be open to nearly everyone. There will be a set of rules for the recruits to follow, such as our forum's rules, server rules(assuming we get a server), ventrilo rules, and common courtesy among members. A specialized recruitment of particularly skilled individuals has yet to be decided. We will not recruit brain-dead individuals or individuals with obvious character flaws, but until formally determined the recruitment will be very open. One possibility will be the recruitment of many into the Platoon, but very few into the core "team". Leaving the team make-up primarily skilled, hand picked individuals. This will inherently create a division among members and will have to be approached very carefully.
Requirements for recruitment will be low. We will determine later if we will branch out very far and if we will get a server, but assuming we do neither the requirements will be Ventrilo and a forum account. We will urge members to use the forums and ventrilo.
Until determined we will not allow friends of friends to be recruited. That means if a friend of someone in the clan is let in they cannot guarantee entry for their friend assuming that friend is not friends with anyone but the newly recruited friend. We will most likely be very lenient in this case, but we may decide to put a cap on our recruits and this is one sure way to over populate the platoon/clan/guild/organization with possible inactive names. This exception can easily be diverted by simply becoming friends with the locals and then changing it from "friend of a friend" to "my friend". (although I do hope we get to the point where we have too many faces!)
Subjects of Discussion
3.1 Power
There are three forms of power that are present in IHG at this time and a possible fourth. These powers are: Ventrilo admin, forum moderator, platoon admin, and the possible server admin. The few people with vent admin know my principle on power. It is only given to those that can do good with it and when the need is present. It is not a toy and it is a responsibility that has its expectations. The rules are relatively light and the head of power is lenient, but when it comes to a few areas of topic the rules come clashing down. There are no ifs, ands, or buts when it comes to a few of these rules.
At the moment our humble abode in the IHG ventrilo serves only a dozen and a halfish people and the amount of ventrilo admins is perfect for such a situation. However, in the future we will need more. Ventrilo admin in particular is special. Anyone who seeks it must complete a set challenge. The challenge is rather spontaneous and they only appear when an admin is needed. To top it off, the challenge is only given to those who are trusted to do the job well. Regarding ventrilo admin the principle is you want at least one on at all times when there are people in the vent. If our numbers grow four fold expect 2-3 more admins. If they grow to inhabit a hundred or more active people then expect 3-5 more admins. Pass that point, though, there is nothing, The vent will probably never have more than ten admins because it is not needed.
Forum moderators will also be needed in the future, but at the moment we can literally pass with one, myself, considering we are dry as the Sahara at the moment. However, if the situation arises that the forums are actively used then expect at least one section moderator for each active section and another 4-5 moderators on top of that. We will probably never need more than fifteen mods no matter how large we become. Realistically we will probably sit on three to four for a long, long time.
Platoon admins can invite people and do other nifty stuff, but will probably be restricted from doing so unless asked of. The number of these will be low. Less than five for a long time. Besides myself, the only things the platoon admins will do is accept invites/applications to the platoon.
Server admin. Hoy, boy. This is a big one. Assuming we get a large community going you can expect us aiming to have two admins on at all times during peak hours and one "around" at all times of the day. This means we will probably have our officers with Admin and probably sit at a lofty 5-10 of these. As time goes on we might get another 5 afterward. There will be no direct buying of admin, but donations may put a person, depending on their character, at a possible chance for being a weakened admin so they can insure themselves a safe environment when other admins might be away.
3.2 To server, or not to server?
When contemplating the purchase of a server you must consider the practicality of the challenge ahead. The running of the server will be done by the company you purchase from, but what about keeping it populated? Moderating it? The decisions behind the maps, rules, and more determine the success of it. The amount of effort exerted shows through the server and in end brings people to it and hopefully gets them to cling on to it.
We will discuss as a group the pros and cons of owning a server and determine our course of action from there, but ponder it and come up with arguments for and against it. Remember all the variables to our success including competition. There needs to be an appeal or we will not attract anyone. My idea of an appeal is a small map only server that focuses on infantry play. Let me hear what you think at the soon to be planned "meeting" and in this thread.
3.3 Interest levels?
How interested are you in making IHG a big name? Not so interested? Very interested? Let me hear about it, please! It will be discussed at our next "meeting". I am hoping everyone is on board to make our clan/guild/organization a big name with lots of faces coming and going around the clock, but I wont know for sure until everyone gives their opinion on the matter.
3.4 Goals
The goals that I have will be listed here. They are short, but they are reachable, attainable goals.
- Have the "meeting". Simple enough, right? I just want everyone who is part of us, including Zell's gang probably, to talk about the possibilities and plans.
- Get ten new faces in the platoon in the near future. We have Pistac, Madbluntz, and Hobz(though we aren't too sure about Hobz yet!). We're about a third of the way there!
- Get everyone in vent actively checking the forums (once a day). After that we may aim to have everyone posting!
- Get everyone to vote on a few polls and give their opinion/reply on the respective thread. (they will be found on this same board)
- Play some battlefield 3. Ezpz.
If you read this all then you are a winner in my book. Let everyone know about this thread! IT IS IMPORTANT!!!
