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Originally Posted by Uggme
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If even half the things in this forum are true, then I truly don't know what the deal is!
Perhaps they care less now, or they're too busy getting Velious ready... but from the stuff I've read here (specifically the things indicating what kind of "character" TMO's Guildleader is, Zeelot) things seem to really be in a bad spot. Why would the devs let one man and one guild run an entire server?!
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Don't let the forums be your sole source of information. It is undeniably true that TMO has an extremely strong influence upon the raid scene, and this extends to Zeelot as the visible head of the guild. But you cannot draw a full picture of his character from the picture demonstrated here. In reality, Zee is actually a pretty laid back guy that set the machine up and lets it function without an untoward amount of micromanaging.
It is a stretch, of the Armstrong-iest, kind to think that he has his tentacles deep in the server and that he cackles maniacally while manipulating everything just to watch it burn. In reality, his view of the game is that of a very competitive end game, and that's what he plays for. He's also a pretty nice guy that cares about the guild as an organization, and he goes out of his way to help people, TMO or otherwise.
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Originally Posted by Uggme
1. I don't care if you've been in a guild from day one - your ALT doesn't get gear before a main does. I don't care if you spend hours or even days tracking. Your alt comes second after mains. This has been completely abandoned by TMO and for some reason everyone in guild is ok with it?? This sets a horrible precedent for sure.
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This is an internal matter for the guild, and not something that is really any particular concern of the server staff to allow of disallow. Other guilds also have no business concerning themselves with TMO's internal policy on the matter. That said, here's the logic behind the system which has worked very well so far. (Yes, there have been major hiccups, but the system still prospers despite them.)
I'm sure you've read Zeelot's recent thread regarding TMO's loot policy and you'll notice that it is a council-based system that keeps meticulous records for informational purposes (the records are never "binding" on the council's decisions but are considered highly persuasive). TMO's loot structure is meant to be a balance between the realistic needs of a raiding guild and individual achievement. Initially, we strongly favored mains over alts to the point of near absurdity, and we used to hold to the, very classicEQ, concept of handing out anything that dropped to someone at the raid if that main could use it no matter who they are. We have lost 3(4?) Donal's BP and other extremely valuable items to such a setup over time, and those losses are the origins of the DKP requirements to be awarded certain high-end items. The system ensures a high probability that the item will be used, long term, to help the guild while still rewarding individual efforts.
In classic EQ, the expansions came out fast enough so that you were almost always working on your main character, thus guilds tied benefits to characters and not players. On live, you were one of a small handfull of ultra-elite players if you had full "best in slot" gear at any time. P99 is unique in that the leveling up and "best in slot" progression is much faster here due to slower content releases, a VERY experienced player base, and account sales. For good or bad, those factors have caused a situation where it is more beneficial for both players and the guild to tie loot awards to players and not characters.
Consider a long-term member with over 1500 DKP (0.5 dkp / tracking hour & 1 dkp for each "boss kill"). This member has three level 60's one of which is a brand-new cleric that he just hit level 60 on. This member has an 80% attendance rate, and he has not received any loot since 2 months before the other player (below) joined the guild. There is a new member with 20% lifetime attendance and 50 DKP. A Donal's BP drops and only those two can use it. One is a "main" as and the other is an "alt" if you go by strict definitions. Who should get the BP in light of the above facts?
This situation is why TMO recognizes players and not characters when awarding loot. Otherwise, situations occur that will cause awards to "characters" by default due to their status as "mains," despite another "player" with an "alt" being far more "deserving" in the eyes of the guild's council. (Did I just use "too many" quotation marks?)
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Originally Posted by Uggme
2. Treating a raid zone like your own personal sales forum is particurally deplorable. It makes those working their way up, or even those already up but on the outside think you're in this for reasons other than having fun.
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I addressed this subject fairly recently here:
http://www.project1999.org/forums/sh...&postcount=105
But I'll say a few words here as a codicil as well. Every single dragon in VP still drops loot that is greatly desired by raiding TMO characters. These dragons are killed primarily for those items. The rotting loot is sold as an incidental benefit that would otherwise be "money left on the table."
Yes, it is commendable to announce rots as FFA at large, but not obligatory from any ethical standpoint. I agree that it would be in bad form to kill those mobs strictly for monetary benefit. Every single raid mob still killed today drops items of value. Even Vox drops the extremely desirable rez stick, and Nagafen drops prayers of life and bladestoppers all of which are given to mains upon dropping.
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Originally Posted by Uggme
3. Reputation of most raiding guilds seem to be in the shitter. Especially TMO's. If they have even 1/3 the wealth they claim to have, then it wouldn't take a PR Genius to turn things around. nor would it even make a dent in thier, apparently, vast and deep pockets. If such incredible control is already exerted by TMO over high end content they could just as easily facilitate pleasant and fun relations with other guilds instead of heartlessly dominating anyone "not on the inside".
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When I first started playing here, I remember seeing Nagafen spawned and downed in under 15 minutes flat. I didn't know who killed it, I'm not sure how they did it so fast, and I didn't know exactly why.
I hated them.
Honestly, I think I was jealous or perhaps simply being petty. I don't know. My point is that I had a completely irrational hatred for those mysterious people on top that I had never even met. It's perfectly natural to expect some dislike merely based upon that factor. Couple this with RnF and some... interesting personalities, and you'll have a recipe for a hate machine. Certainly, TMO could do more to improve its reputation, and there are many instances where both the guild as a whole and individual members do things that hurt the reputation. But these must all be considered holistically. What is earned versus what is simply assigned by human nature?
Only after I made a conscious decision to understand the motivations surrounding the endgame did I understand it, and I think that if you take the time to investigate it thoroughly you might have a finding or two that surprises you.