Twenty-Nine_Rooks
02-05-2009, 02:05 PM
What will follow in this thread are my suggestions for how OutSpark can improve the game community and some respectful and constructive critisizm.
OutSpark needs more GMs. Not to say that any of our current GMs are bad, but we (the community) need far more of them. The current situation demands, in my opinion, 5 more GMs and an equal number of CSRs. Also, I think this would reduce the work load on our current GMs, freeing them to help improve the community.
The retirement of Dakkon and even Steam has had a poor influence on the game. While Steam and Dakkon were far from perfect, they brought a tremendous amount of fun to the game. And this is key, I do not know the details, but employee like them are worth their weight in gold, because they seem to know how to keep people excited about your product.
Of the 5 suggested new GMs and CSRs, 1 GM and 1 CSR should have their primary task to be solving cases of sexual harassment. This is a big problem and getting bigger, I am afraid to say. Now, they probably will not have enough reports to fill a full time job, so they can put on events or work against scams and other community-sabotaging things.
The other 4 GMs should be assigned a server and become server-specific. That is, they should spend the majority of their time on one server only, getting to know the community, and becoming familliar with the players. This will not only help connect the Management to the Community, but also allow the community to voice their suggestions and grievances to a GM. Now when GMs show up in town, they are flooded with spam and players begging for things, but I think over time people would become accustomed to this, and it could function properly. Another consideration is that the GMs would become too friendly with some and show favoritism, but I think with proper management and oversight, this can be prevented.
These 4 GMs also would require 1 GL each as their assistant. This GL should have limited powers, but enough to enforce basic rules: They should be able to zap Shout or Grinding Bots. Also, I think it would be a good idea to allow them to mute other players who are being disrespectful or disruptive. Also they should have the right to Enforce policy against KQ leeching.
The new CSRs are needed to handle the high volume of tickets being submitted. Hal, Logan, and Joker do a great job, but they need help because it takes too long for them to respond. (Thanks again Hal for fixing my bugged Cleric lol)
In addition to all this, another CM like [CM]Vanquish is needed. I fondly remember Vanquish, besides is keeping the forums in order, he hung out in Elderine and showed of his cool gear to newbs like me lol.
Also, I know your hands are tied in terms of the patches, but you need to independently test them yourselves before you release them. Hire someone to do this, and if it means your patches are ready on thursdays instead of tuesdays, oh well.
And, you need another server. I realize how much work this is, but as it stands, Bijou is close to being full, and you are running people off the server.
So, to make this point again: You are short staffed OutSpark. But I think that if you implement some of my suggestions, your ability to enforce policy will be greater, and the community will flourish.
Thank You
--Rooks
OutSpark needs more GMs. Not to say that any of our current GMs are bad, but we (the community) need far more of them. The current situation demands, in my opinion, 5 more GMs and an equal number of CSRs. Also, I think this would reduce the work load on our current GMs, freeing them to help improve the community.
The retirement of Dakkon and even Steam has had a poor influence on the game. While Steam and Dakkon were far from perfect, they brought a tremendous amount of fun to the game. And this is key, I do not know the details, but employee like them are worth their weight in gold, because they seem to know how to keep people excited about your product.
Of the 5 suggested new GMs and CSRs, 1 GM and 1 CSR should have their primary task to be solving cases of sexual harassment. This is a big problem and getting bigger, I am afraid to say. Now, they probably will not have enough reports to fill a full time job, so they can put on events or work against scams and other community-sabotaging things.
The other 4 GMs should be assigned a server and become server-specific. That is, they should spend the majority of their time on one server only, getting to know the community, and becoming familliar with the players. This will not only help connect the Management to the Community, but also allow the community to voice their suggestions and grievances to a GM. Now when GMs show up in town, they are flooded with spam and players begging for things, but I think over time people would become accustomed to this, and it could function properly. Another consideration is that the GMs would become too friendly with some and show favoritism, but I think with proper management and oversight, this can be prevented.
These 4 GMs also would require 1 GL each as their assistant. This GL should have limited powers, but enough to enforce basic rules: They should be able to zap Shout or Grinding Bots. Also, I think it would be a good idea to allow them to mute other players who are being disrespectful or disruptive. Also they should have the right to Enforce policy against KQ leeching.
The new CSRs are needed to handle the high volume of tickets being submitted. Hal, Logan, and Joker do a great job, but they need help because it takes too long for them to respond. (Thanks again Hal for fixing my bugged Cleric lol)
In addition to all this, another CM like [CM]Vanquish is needed. I fondly remember Vanquish, besides is keeping the forums in order, he hung out in Elderine and showed of his cool gear to newbs like me lol.
Also, I know your hands are tied in terms of the patches, but you need to independently test them yourselves before you release them. Hire someone to do this, and if it means your patches are ready on thursdays instead of tuesdays, oh well.
And, you need another server. I realize how much work this is, but as it stands, Bijou is close to being full, and you are running people off the server.
So, to make this point again: You are short staffed OutSpark. But I think that if you implement some of my suggestions, your ability to enforce policy will be greater, and the community will flourish.
Thank You
--Rooks