The Agenda, and more!

[Pandan 1452]

Good hello, ladies and gents.

 

Today I present you with the first of (hopefully) many, the concept of an agenda. This is a rather basic idea in which it helps direct what the GM’s are focusing on within a variety of areas and to kick it off, we’ll be trialling the idea of an economy which will be explained in more depth below.

 

However, in order to keep everything down to one post I’ve also got a bunch of other snippets located below that you can read about. Have fun!

 

Agenda: The Economy

 

LotC’s economy is broken and has been for as long as I can remember. It seemingly relies upon iron alone to set and determine prices with allowing little reliance upon other substances such as wood, and gems. To perfect the economy is quite honestly an absurd and perhaps even impossible task however what we will be doing is taking it upon ourselves to try and repair some of the leaks that’ve been caused over the years.

 

So, what does this imply? Well this means the global moderation team shall be looking into a variety of projects that aid with this cause. Here are a few examples;

 

1. The Marketplace: A GM set of stalls at spawn that purchase certain goods for a set price; including that of potentially iron, wood and the commonly unused emeralds and the likes. The idea is to set a price for many things and help strengthen the economy by setting a base price. This will require a lot of work and may fiddle with the complicated set of rules that dictate LotC’s economy, so we ask for your patience whilst we implement this system so that it’ll be good come the next map.

2. Investments: It only takes a brief glance to realise how much mina is tied up within those big earners, hundreds of thousands of mina and barely getting used.. Because, well, aside from land what else is there to purchase? This project shall attempt to give something of worthwhile nature to those that currently have very little to spend their hefty amount of mina upon.

3. Competitions: The classic, I suppose. As important as it is to provide you with the capability to earn mina, it's important to ensure that too much doesn’t get held up within GM accounts and further damaging the economy. One of the best (but not only) means of distributing this is through an array of competitions, so keep an eye out for those!

 

These are just a few examples of what we’re hoping to provide for you. If you’ve got any more suggestions/concerns then throw a comment below, I’d love to hear what you think of this idea and how you feel it could be used to benefit you, the playerbase.

 

The Demand for GM’s

 

We’ve lost quite a few lately unfortunately; Slic3, Arzota, Giga and Supremacy being a few to name. In terms this has opened up some needed coverage for the team and thus we’re once again asking for you to throw up some apps if you feel it’s your time to shine. If your application catches either myself or one of my managers (read below) attention, then you may be brought into skype for an interview! Good luck!

 

GM Managers

 

Recently I’ve implemented a new system among the GM’s to aid both myself and benefit the team as a whole, providing wider coverage and monitoring for the team. This also allows me more time to aid the many other staff teams, such as ET and LM’s and ensure they’re providing you with the necessary services they pledge themselves to do.

 

For more information, read the stuff in this spoiler here!

 

 

Spoiler

GM Managers

 

The GM management team are there to aid the HR Administrator within the duties of management, decision making and appointment. They’re figures to motivate and guide both new and old GM’s into doing their role whilst ensuring those that fall behind are noted and with it given correct criticism for under goings. Responsibilities also lie within the appointing of new internal systems alongside helping the lead with any projects he may set out for them.

 

The Duties and Responsibilities

 

There are many roles for a GM manager with a variety of purposes.

 

• Communication of current on goings within the management team and upper staff, ensuring that the GM team as a whole remains informed and educated within the ways of the current server climate.

• Ensuring that the different specializations are maintained and managed with substance being produced from all four areas of the grid. It's advised to split the different sectors across the management team based on the capabilities and skills of the current members.

• Make certain of that GM’s are engaged within projects outside of the basic duties of being a moderator (Reqs, etc). If failing to do so reporting such to the current lead then working with both parties to reprimand such is vital in order to keep the server moving forward.

• Relaying issues that may be occurring to the current team lead. These may be from an observational point of few or perhaps if approached by a member of the team who felt more comfortable discussing such with them rather than the lead themselves.

• Pushing for activity within the variety of areas both inside and out of game. This may be to close some reqs that’ve been sitting for a while, or perhaps pushing for a vote to be closed and monitoring those who may hold up votes along a consistent and anti-productive basis.

• Monitoring factors such as activity, contribution to skype chats and also the logs of their selected GMs.

• Take upon the responsibility of advising new trial GMs in the way of doing things, ensuring their training is complete and also serving as an alternative figurehead should they have issues when the lead isn’t present.

 

Current Management Team and Groups.

 

Lead: Pandann

 

Manager A: Fireheart

Group A:

• Cosmic

• Cracker

• Dohvi

• Morsmordre

• Zarsies

• TauFirewarrier

• Geoboy66

• Freema5

 

Manager B: Ski_king3

Group B:

• Disco

• James

• Wrynn

• Combust

• Nalatac

• Aeriel

• Wretched

• Tahmas

 

Authority and Capabilities

 

The authority of a manager is slightly higher than that of an average GM, however not exceedingly so. The majority of such comes to lie within ensuring that the team remains as an efficient unit rather than leading it, which falls beneath the leads responsibility. If they notice someone behaving out of line or perhaps not answering a req despite being unoccupied at the time, they do have place to ask that such a person complete a task.

 

However what they’re able to do is still strictly limited. Striking, removing or verbal warnings must be approved by both lead and discussed between the management team before it is enacted. If you feel such isn’t being followed and wish to file a complaint, please gather adequate evidence and message the lead with any concerns. Such will lead to an investigation and thus hopefully a resolution.

 

Appointment of A New Manager

 

Following the initial wave, if a new manager slot happens to open up for whatever reason the lead is expected to enquire for interest among the team. Following such he will shortlist his ideal 4-5 candidates before offering them interviews to determine who is most suited towards the role.

 

This process may be slightly lengthy however it's believed to bring out the best candidates whilst also allowing the opportunity to those perhaps unseen most the time to show their potential for the role. The final decision will always be made by the lead in order to reduce the concern for it becomes a popularity contest rather than based on skill.

 

 

Moderation Request Policy Update

 

With the newly appointed managers we recently discussed the moderation request policies that GM’s had to follow before and we believe that they could’ve been better. So below is the list of items the GM’s should be following when undergoing your moderation requests, if you feel someone isn’t following them then please do not threat to PM me.

 

Moderation Request Policies

- The default quota is the completion of 3% of moderation requests however it is subject to change should the lead believe the server climate suggests otherwise.

- Always attempt offline mod reqs if possible. Otherwise leave ignored unless the circumstances dictate that new requests filed can no longer be seen upon the first /check menu.

- If five+ requests build up then it's recommended you seek a means out of RP (unless specifically important, use common sense) in order to deal with such as you may be the only person around to aid the player base.

- If you receive three consecutive [X] you may be considered for removal. This may not be due to negative reasons, but in fact inability to undergo your role due to issues happening outside LotC.

- You should always avoid skipping moderations requests and go down the queue as it forms; however the following points (a) and (b) may be considered.

- (a) Not being aware of how to do something isn’t an excuse not to do a req, should such a situation be presented you should always take upon the responsibility yourself to learn how.

- (b) However, this shouldn’t be the reason for not moving ahead with a moderation request. If you’re awaiting an answer on how to undergo it, move on until such is provided to you.
- If you’re involved in serious RP then you need to be involved with, then you must use the /reportrts duty command to ensure your name isn’t brought up within the /modlist menu.

 

Whats Going On With Specialisations?

 

Community

Hail friends of Malinor! At present, the Community Managers are working on further defining their role, with a focus on bridging the gap between player feedback and the rest of the staff. A system is currently being tweaked to ensure this happens regularly, and some of the effects should be seen prior to this week's Community Meeting. We will also be further exploring our roles in media, competitions, in-game and with helping new players in hopes that we become points of contact beyond simply expressing concerns or desired changes.

 

Creative

The Creative Managers are also convening to work on further defining their role in concert together, recently taking on two new GM's. Expect to see the fruits of some of their labor come next weekend, when a well-awaited content addition shall be released. Expect a post regarding this exciting add-on in the near future, alongside other efforts made by the group in the months to come.

 

AMA

 

Just a small added extra for you here, I felt due to the large influx of items I’ve given you here many questions may prop up into the open. So in order to answer that I’ve started an AMA over here;

 

 

 

If you’ve got any questions about the agenda, the new manager system or perhaps my favorite colour. Then go ask!

 

[ski_king3 0]

[Space 2335]

I think most efforts trying to make an economy are just going to be fruitless.

[SodaiKamikaze 652]

Magnificent.

[ℤ∃ʁ∅ 823]

oh

[JEEGK 1367]

Cool.

[Daisy 9736]

Neat.

I wonder if this will create some interesting power dynamics between GMs, as some are team leaders but are 'managed' by another GM.

[Elfen_ 232]

Interesting

 

[Wrynn 1349]

Brilliant.

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

It would definitely be interesting thing if the economy thing worked out, good luck!

[DISCOLIQUID 2702]

 

Inspirational.

[Hanrahan 2983]

Managers, Managers, Managers.. Hrrmm..

[Anderssn 1115]

1.  

Quote

 

1. The Marketplace: A GM set of stalls at spawn that purchase certain goods for a set price; including that of potentially iron, wood and the commonly unused emeralds and the likes. The idea is to set a price for many things and help strengthen the economy by setting a base price. This will require a lot of work and may fiddle with the complicated set of rules that dictate LotC’s economy, so we ask for your patience whilst we implement this system so that it’ll be good come the next map.

2. Investments: It only takes a brief glance to realise how much mina is tied up within those big earners, hundreds of thousands of mina and barely getting used.. Because, well, aside from land what else is there to purchase? This project shall attempt to give something of worthwhile nature to those that currently have very little to spend their hefty amount of mina upon.

3. Competitions: The classic, I suppose. As important as it is to provide you with the capability to earn mina, it's important to ensure that too much doesn’t get held up within GM accounts and further damaging the economy. One of the best (but not only) means of distributing this is through an array of competitions, so keep an eye out for those!

 

 

How is this going to help anything? 

[mmat 7460]

Any particular reason my post was removed @Pandan?

 

It was valid, calm criticism.

 

EDIT: There we go, thank you friendly FMS.

 

Quote

Please stop trying to make an economy, it never works and is a fruitless use of resources. Plus, the increasingly bureaucratised nature of GM policy is probably going to turn a lot of people off, modreqs and the GM team were not perfect before however the increasingly rigid and robotic nature of GM policy stifles creativeness and the chill relationship that should exist between the staff and the playerbase, which is ironic considering the 'community relations' efforts.  The staff team has shown a concerning trend to making things overly and impractically perfect when it just can not be achieved such as the defender default crap. Accept that not everything can be made perfect and go with the next best, simple alternative.

 

[Jonificus 2741]

Should get the players some sort of incentive to get minas. You can get along just fine without having a copper in your coffers, so if you want the economy to get better then give us a reason to get minas (After all, you can get everything you need for free basically, except from charters and wars)