To join our team the most critical skill needed is an ability to learn and a great attitude. If you have that then we want to talk to you even if you don’t meet the criteria below!

What Is It Like at Guild Launch?

Our culture is entrepreneurial, collaborative and open. Many new game launches are company holidays and Friday afternoons involve the entire company playing Minecraft or any of the other 300 games that we support. Lunchtime conversation can range from DnD to Pathfinder to discussion of the latest Eve Online scam to quest design in SWTOR to remeniscence on the glory days of raiding Molten Core or the more recent battles against Deathwing.  Benefits include medical, dental, Collectors Editions of games, and your favorite game’s monthly fees are covered by the company.

The Skills We Need

Programmers

We are looking for talented PHP developers in various skill ranges. Recent graduates and seasoned PHP veterans are needed. Mobile experience is also a plus.

Send Us Your Resume to careers@guildlaunch.com

UI/UX Developers

We are looking for an experienced user interface/user experience developer who has experience building usable, responsive web applications and/or mobile applications.

Send Us Your Resume to careers@guildlaunch.com

Marketing

We are looking for an experienced marketing professional who has a keen understanding of marketing, PR, CPC optimization, SEO and has an understanding of the role of community management in a modern, customer focused organization.

Send Us Your Resume to careers@guildlaunch.com

Where are you?

Guild Launch is located in Richmond, VA. Mountains are an hour to our west and south, the beach is a couple of hours to the east and Washington, DC is a short trip away! Virginia is a beautiful state with skiing in the winter, beaches in the summer and a rich history and gorgeous landscape. The people we hire need to be here in the office so we can have hallways meetings, see the whites of their eyes during scrum and shoot them with nerf darts. However, we are willing to work with people who want to relocate so don’t be shy if you aren’t in the immediate area!

Thanks!
The Guild Launch Team

Send Us Your Resume to careers@guildlaunch.com

New Style and Layout

We’ve uncluttered the entire interface. New Admin is sleek, clean and clear. We’ve removed instances where the interface was ‘shouting’ at you and focused on creating smart page hierarchy that directs you to what you need to know. In addition we’ve taken out much of the long winded explanation that was not needed and moved it to a dedicated help Wiki.

Optimized Navigation

We’ve taken 6 years of experience and data regarding how you use admin and started from scratch with the hierarchy of content in admin. The end result is different from the old admin in critical ways, but is familiar enough that you will learn it quickly.

The first thing you will notice is that the navigation is interactive. You can browse the Hierarchy of the navigation without clicking to other pages. This allows you to search and discover where additional pages are without having to spend as much time clicking around the interface.

The next thing you will notice is that we’ve moved major feature configuration for areas like Item Hovers, Social Media, Calendar and Rapid Raid into a category called ‘Features’. This change allows you to more easily find configuration for a specific feature while also grouping these items together. This change has a huge impact on our ability to grow Admin without busting the navigation hierarchy.

In addition, we’ve moved other key pages to areas that made sense like moving Library Upload permissions out of the Content Tab and into the Permissions area.

The end result is easier to understand, more clear and just makes more sense!

The Secret World

Diablo 3

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Minecraft

Tera

(Officially* these were released last week, but are included here for a sense of completeness.)

Guild Wars 2

All of these templates are available on the ‘Styles & Templates’ tab of the admin menu for your use!

“But GL_Slater,” you might ask, “you said something about Guild Wars 2 signatures too!  Where do I get those fantabulous**, spectacular signatures to show off to all my friends?  What do they even look like?  Can you show me?”

Dear Guild Launcher – of course I can!  You can find our new signature creator here: http://www.guildlaunch.com/features/guild_wars2/sigs/

And they look… like this!

(*GL_Slater claiming something is official makes it neither official nor necessarily true.)

(**Things like this are why GL_Slater doesn’t get out of the support forums much.)

In last month’s edition of Exploring EVE Online, I pledged to spend the next year reporting on the different communities and play-styles available to the EVE player. My goals were simple; to investigate the many game-play options offered whilst exploring the myriad of communities that make up EVE society.

In the wider gaming world, there is a general pre-conception that the EVE Online experience is brutal, ruthless and cut-throat. Whilst these elements of EVE culture certainly exist, is the EVE player-base made entirely of amoral griefers whose only joy is to ruin your day? Is New Eden truly just a “playground for sociopaths”*? Or is there trust and candour to be found somewhere? Surely such well-developed communities cannot exist without some degree of community spirit? So my mission for the duration of this column will be to get a better measure of the true face of “The Nation of EVE”.

*Adam Rosser, BBC Radio 4 (Up All Night, 02/05/12)

Going Back to the Start

I have been playing EVE Online since its release in 2003, so I’ve had the opportunity to see the in-game and meta-game cultures developing along with the ever-expanding game universe. Armed with the knowledge of a veteran player, it made sense to go back to the beginning to walk the path a new player might take today. Having played several, more traditional MMOs over the years, I am keenly aware that some of EVE Online‘s differences may be a cause of gaming culture shock and thus a deterrent for some potential subscribers.  I hope that this article will serve to forewarn future rookies of some of those differences and better enable them to embrace the unique culture of EVE Online.

Look closely, her skin isn't as perfect as it appears. She should probably consider shaving her head with the light on though.

EVE Online has been providing a unique virtual science fiction experience to online gamers for nearly nine years. As such, I expected things to be a little creaky back in the new player “lobby” – it wouldn’t have been surprising to find the character creation equivalent of an embarrassing disco-dancing Dad. But I needn’t have been concerned, things have changed since my day. I was pleased to find my re-entry into the universe of New Eden was slick and polished, with a suitably atmospheric introduction to the dystopian future of the human race and my character creation choices. The impressive avatar customisation process is as close to photo-realistic as any newly-developed title. It was already clear that frequent engine updates have done much to banish any signs of the game’s decade-old code.

Prior to last year’s introduction of pilot avatars in the Incarna expansion, EVE players would only be represented in-game by the ship they were flying (and a small portrait photograph). I can well imagine that this would have been a jarring and disconnected experience for players coming from more traditional MMOs. Fortunately, that was identified and the new Captain’s Quarters environments and the customisable characters do much to soften the landing and orientate the former Elf Lord. Some sections of the EVE community wait with anticipation for iteration on this aspect of gameplay. Others, not so much.

Walk Before You Warp

The tutorial further contributes to the immersion, with the pleasant metallic tones of the disembodied digital assistant Aura guiding you through the initial process of grappling the diabolically complex user interface. It is worth noting that the UI, whilst probably the most tell-tale sign of EVE Online‘s age, has recently undergone vast improvements. Although still a little archaic, a degree of complexity is unavoidable as it is the player’s complete tool-set for interacting with every aspect of EVE‘s sandbox environment.

The confused, blank stare of a rookie.

Although the avatar controls are standard WASD fare, the ship control tutorial is vital as the initial in-space experience can be disorienting and alien to many rookie capsuleers. In the past I’ve seen several new pilots struggle with the 360-degree third-person “camera drone” concept, but Aura does a good job of explaining things, supported by the (somewhat less engaging) tutorial text window.

Aura leads the rookie through the basics of ship navigation and onto the introduction of “career agents”. These new personalities provide guidance in a variety of specific aspects of gameplay from trading and industry to exploration and combat, although sadly they all seem a little vocally shy and only interact via text.

At this point, the visually breathtaking and bewildering initial experience begins to give way to a sense of isolation. Personally, I quite enjoy this sensation as the sheer sense of scale of the game environment begins to become evident.

But so far, so single player.

Don't go that way, there's nothing there!

Granted, there will have been some evidence of other players – the blinking of various chat windows and an assortment of distant coloured squares on the HUD – but these are easily dismissed or overlooked. Besides, the undercurrent of mistrust and paranoia that has been fuelled by out-of-game mythology would probably have our average rookie pilot in a state of self-imposed neurotic isolation. Yet EVE Online‘s game design is fundamentally built around community. Once the career tutorial mission arcs are complete, the pilot will find himself essentially adrift, being left to find his own way in the universe. It is at this point (if not before) that finding an appropriate player-run corporation (the EVE equivalent of a guild) is imperative for continued long-term enjoyment for all but the most solitary of gamers.

This is a pivotal moment in the fledgling capsuleer’s career. Having learned just enough to be a danger to themselves, the vast universe opening out before them must look enticing. They will have outgrown the most protective of rookie-friendly systems and despite having much, much more to learn, the independently-minded may be inclined to attempt it alone. They are free to do so of course, but engaging the right community will provide a much richer experience. Being a member of a proficient corporation will not prevent the occasional ship loss, but at least there will (hopefully) be someone available to explain why and how it happened and maybe even supply a new ship.

I would like to invite all of the MMORPG players that are attending PAX East 2012 to come by the Guild Launch booth for a meet-and-greet! You’ll have an opportunity to meet both the Guild Launch and Epic Slant Press staffers. ES Press will be at the booth Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1 to 2 pm! I’ll be signing copies of The Raider’s Companion and pretty much anything else you want me to (within reason). Please come by and say hello, meet the gang, pick up some free goodies, and have your book signed! You can also check out all of the great features that Guild Launch has to offer at both the free and paid levels of hosting and take advantage of any contests they might be running!

I hope to see you there!

About The Raider’s Companion

Are you ready to take your MMORPG experience to the next level? Are you interested in working with a team to slay gargantuan beasts? If you are, it is time to move into raiding and The Raider’s Companion is here to help. Leverage Ferrel’s years of experience as a competitive raider and tactician to sharpen your skills or learn to raid.

The Raider’s Companion presents both a “how to raid” guide and a series of “best practices” to enhance a player’s effectiveness. If you’ve never joined a raid or have been doing so for years you’ll find useful information in The Raider’s Companion that will improve your abilities, change how you look at encounters, and make you a more well-rounded player on your team.

For more details please check out The Raider’s Companion product page.

The Dust has finally settled in Reykjavik and the locals have got their restaurants and bars back. The hundreds of players who came to celebrate their favourite science fiction MMO have left their undoubtedly weary CCP hosts to shamble back to the office and return to pushing boundaries.

Unreservedly, I can state that everything I witnessed in Iceland underlines the courageous and pioneering attitude of one of the world’s most innovative video game developers. There is no desire to roll out products that are facsimiles of their competitors; CCP have a unique philosophy in their approach to game design and an equally unique relationship with the community that grows around it.

Engaging the Social Hydra

Fanfest was a fantastic environment to meet and begin to understand the many diverse layers and cliques that comprise the EVE player base. In his CCP Presents presentation, CMO David Reid (CCP Pokethulhu) described fans of EVE Online as “The Nation of EVE”. There is a truth to that statement that may help outsiders to better understand there is not one community in EVE, but many. Just wandering the halls of the Harpa Centre and beyond in the bars and restaurants of Iceland’s capital gave me the opportunity to speak with groups of thoughtful industrialists, enthusiastic combat pilots, inspired writers, passionate alliance leaders and one girl who likes to lick people(!).

Player Alliance Sovereignty Map (March 2012)

Always on the forefront of social gaming, EVE Online has evolved over the past nine years into an absurdly complex socio-political model mirroring many aspects of human civilisation. Whereas other MMO environments attempt to control and oppress player culture, EVE Online’s developers are brave enough to allow it to thrive. Of course, pushing the boundaries of social gaming in a world where internet anonymity encourages poor behaviour means that moral boundaries are also sometimes tested. Such is the burden of the pioneer. The benefits far outweigh the risks.

The real beauty of the EVE Online society is easily seen from within. Sadly, it is woefully misunderstood from without, being portrayed as ugly, brutal and cold. Nothing could be further from the truth. Unlike many other MMO games, the freedoms provided to EVE players mean that almost anything can (and often does) happen. Like real life, this means that some individuals, organisations and regimes are able to behave cruelly and of course, these are always the stories that find their way to the press. But human nature being what it is, the very threat of these adverse gaming conditions has brought about a necessary response. Like in nature, adversity creates community. With strength and safety found in numbers, vibrant communities have formed, sharing resources and information, better protecting themselves and even fighting back.

Saddling the Future Beast

Over the next year, it is in this very column that I intend to show the wider gaming world the truth behind “The Nation of EVE”. During Fanfest, I took the opportunity to approach several well-known player organisations in EVE society and I will be integrating with a number of these communities over the next year as an “embedded journalist”. I hope to compare and contrast the differing cultures and gameplay styles that exist across the universe of EVE whilst they explore the exciting new content that was showcased at Fanfest.

I was pleased that the overriding message of Fanfest was one of embracing the backstory of New Eden, as evidenced in the superb new cinematic trailer. The upcoming summer expansion Inferno will be focusing on the Faction Warfare gameplay elements, improving the aging system behind EVE’s answer to realm-versus-realm combat. Undoubtedly this will breathe new life into the colourful narrative behind the warring nations and I look forward to spending some time with the Faction Warfare community. I hope there will be scope to delve into the roleplaying community here too.

Additionally, proposed refinement of the mechanics behind corporation war declarations and the Crimewatch standings system may bring about some fundamental changes to player interaction across the more protected regions of New Eden. I know some less-than-salubrious characters who will undoubtedly already be trying to figure out how to take advantage of the changes. I hope to spend some time with them, where I will learn the ways of the “ninja salvager” whilst clinging tightly to my wallet and my kidneys.

There are exciting ideas in development for the introduction of new forms of mining (planetary rings) and the tackling of the age-old “dead horse” issue of the laborious starbase system, commonly known as “POSes”. The Player/Pilot Owned Starbase is EVE’s answer to player housing and they provide a unique platform for manufacture, storage and defence. Starbases are vital for a long-term presence in remote wormhole systems. However, the construction and upkeep of these structures has also proven to be insanity-inducing. CCP aim to fix that and I hope to spend some time with some industrialist corporations and wormhole explorers who can show me the ropes.

Another issue that has long been a thorn in the side for both CCP and many players are the mechanics underpinning the never-ending sovereignty warfare waged by thousands of players out in the null-sec regions. This is a system that many of the presiding members of EVE Online’s elected body, the Council of Stellar Management (CSM), are passionate about and will be attempting to push CCP’s development focus in that direction. It will be interesting to get a view from ground zero on the current and future state of sovereignty mechanics in null-sec; home of the massive fleet fight and a jewel in EVE Online’s crown.

Just another Massive. Fleet. Fight.

Of course, the Big Question many were asking at Fanfest was regarding the details of linking the established universe of New Eden to the Playstation Network to facilitate the ground-war that will take place in the PS3 exclusive DUST 514. Now the impressive cross-platform orbital bombardment system has been showcased and light has been shed on the mercenary contract system, the question has been partially answered. But the social impact of the introduction of an entirely new demographic to the Nation of EVE is something that really cannot be predicted. I almost made it onto DUST 514′s first e-sports champion team. Perhaps as the Stuart Sutcliffe of the victorious Team Haggis, I can worm my way back into their ranks to discover the progress of DUST 514′s premiere mercenary outfit too.

In summary, Fanfest has exposed much about EVE Online’s future and I aim to be on the ground to see how it develops – many questions have been raised and I intend to be there to witness the answers. I look forward to my year-long journalistic odyssey through New Eden. It will be a unique experience to witness the growth and maturation of the most complete socio-political science fiction experience in existence.

Also, spaceships are cool.

You can discuss this article here.

Eve Fanfest Crowd

Fanfest, the yearly celebration of the epic science fiction MMO EVE Online, is in full swing in Iceland and as Guild Launch’s new EVE Online correspondent, I have the privilege of being in the thick of things. As I immerse myself in the vibrant and diverse culture that underpins everything EVE flavoured, I’m gaining a deeper understanding of the communities behind the “serious business” of internet spaceships.

Having been a part of the EVE Online player base since 2003, I have had the opportunity to experience the evolution of EVE’s gameplay, as well as the growth of its communities. I have been an active blogger since 2009, writing my Freebooted blog where I have explored many of EVE’s themes. There, I have discussed the hardcore and casual aspects of the myriad of EVE’s gameplay options as well as proving that internet spaceships doesn’t always have to be serious business. I also work with many facets of the EVE community to provide a shared discussion platform in the form of blog banters, where we discuss the hot topics affecting EVE Online. A personal passion of mine is EVE’s deep and engaging dystopian science fiction setting and I further this by hosting Mark726′s EVE Lore Guide, a superb primer to the EVE Online back story, and by managing a fully in-character news podcast series and website, Tech4 News.

Through writing monthly articles for Guild Launch it is my intention to explore the many facets of life in New Eden (EVE’s universe). Over the next twelve months I will be lifting the lid on many different playstyles, examining the communities which make up the “Universe of EVE” and discussing the potentially industry changing and ambitious innovation of the EVE-DUST link, which will see the single-sharded MMO universe populated by PC players invaded by FPS Playstation 3 console gamers.

The future of EVE Online is burning brightly and this superb cinematic trailer released today at Fanfest should whet your appetite. I hope you will join me on my journey into a universe of war and treachery.

-Freebooted

1. Define who you are and what you are looking for.

Who are you looking for and why?  Why would those people want to join your cause?  Detailing the goals of your guild in advance will help with your recruiting messages and are crucial for finding the right people.  If you run a PVP guild and the servers best raid leader; someone that has no interest in PVP comes along, they may not be the best fit.

On the other side of that coin, making it clear what you are looking for tells interested parties if they should start talking to you.  Using the example above, your PVP guild might be getting into raiding so that raid leader would be a key person to speak with.

2. Create or freshen up your guild site.

When looking for new members, you want to put your best foot forward.  Take the time to show off your accomplishments.  Even if your guild just started up, you can talk about things you have done personally and how that experience will help the guild as a whole.

If you are an existing guild, maybe its time to change that template or tweak your header.  New guilds should make sure they have a forum for non-members to ask questions, and make sure your information from tip 1 is visible for potential members.  New and old guilds should make sure their recruiting questions are relevant to their needs and try to include something not game related like, “What are your three favorite movies?”.

When modifying or creating your site, keep in mind that while you are interviewing your potential members, they too are investigating their new home.

3. Hit up social media sites and official forums.

Posting your recruiting message in the official forums and bumping it so it stays at the top is one method you will see a lot, and it is fine to do this as well.  Something more effective is to modify your forum signature to let readers know you are recruiting with a link to your guild site, then post in any thread where you can contribute.  Being helpful to other players will go a long way to show off what kind of guild you are a part of.

Don’t forget Twitter, which can be a very useful tool for recruiting if done right.  You will want to include a hashtag (this guy – #) with the name or abbreviation of the game you play, a very short message that you are recruiting and the URL to your site.  Something like, “Mike’s Guild is recruiting for #WoW and #SWTOR, need raiders. http://www.guildlaunch.com”.  Even without shortening the URL, I have 52 more characters for that tweet for any other information that might be necessary.

4. Interact with the new recruits in game.

There is a lot of value in being able to play with your potential recruits before inviting them to join your guild.  Get them together for a dungeon run, have them join a raid your guild has on farm, or group up with them for some PVP.  See how they react when things don’t go quite as planned.

Talk with them in your voice software like Ventrilo or Mumble if you have them.  Talk about their gaming interests, how they like their class, what they thought of the last patch, what would they do to make their class better.  What guilds have they been in and why did they leave?  These types of questions and conversations will give you an idea on their general attitude.

5. Don’t be afraid to say “No thanks”.

Sometimes people don’t work out.  No person is a perfect match for every guild and vice versa.  If your new recruit doesn’t quite fit the guild, don’t hesitate to let them know.  It’s best to be honest as to why, but be polite.  Unless the recruit was a real monster they might be a good fit in the future so you don’t want to burn any bridges.  Besides, being polite in an MMO will go a long ways.

Feel free to discuss these tips and add your own to the discussion on our community forums.  See you next time!