Harrow, on 30 January 2012 - 01:09 AM, said:
Not lambasting, and i agree with your point about the clans as well. I also agree with the concept of providing a base for 'affiliated' groups. I just don't agree with what amounts to player made guilds with established leadership structures and the pre-formed relationships, cliques, and the commonly insular community that goes with it, proclaiming themselves a canon unit in game. While its all good natured it can be confusing for people new to the site. It gives the appearance of being official. That if i want to be a dragoon i have to join one of your player made groups. But i suspect thats the point isnt it?
I can appreciate your concerns around pre-established groups. Yes, your not really going to know if you will fit in, or if that group will meet the standards you hold up in personal regard. Certainly there is no way to really know without looking at each unit, talking to them and then maybe giving them a shot. I always see it as a two way street. Obviously that unit wants people who will work with the units mantra, whatever it maybe, and the collective personality of the group. But it's important for people joining to feel that association, and that their goals and play style suit the individual. Unhappy people in a unit seems counter productive to the unit.
Like you, non of us really know how things are going to work. It is very confusing for new players to see what units are out there. As for officialdom, well the developers have stated that most of the major merc units within the lore will be locked out. So wave good by to Wolf's Dragoons, Northwind Highlanders, Kell Hounds. Will we be able to affiliate to these units in game without actually controlling them? Your guess is as good as my own.
Right now the community only has this forum, and limited guidelines from the developers. Some of the groups which formed Dragoon units or not are new and old. There were actually several Dragoon units which posted very early on the forums as you can imagine. Before even the announcement was made about the major Mercs being locked out. From there, the community advocates and Dragoon followers hoped to put a player driven system to allow as many people to start up a Dragoon affiliated unit as possible. There is certainly no officialdom for any of the units who post on the Merc Corp forum. And no one can stop you from starting up your own Black Widow Company, regardless of upsetting the other group. The Devs have said signing up your unit to the game is first come first serve. That's all we know. Some of the groups have been able to register their forums and websites on the community portal, I don't know if that is an official nod or not.
If your unhappy to join another Dragoon unit, then that's your call. If you want to join another group again your call. There is no game, or system in place yet. It's just a forum and a time for old friends from MechWarrior to get back in touch re-form their old units or whatever, and get excited about a new MechWarrior game. There is little to no officialdom with any of the Merc Corps from the development studio. It's pure community. Anyway, these are my personal views, I'd like to point out I am no way speaking for the other Dragoon groups on this forum.
Edited by John Clavell, 30 January 2012 - 01:38 AM.