The Art of Assets and Game Design: Creating Lasting Memories

In the realm of game design, carefully crafting assets holds the power to forge enduring connections with players. From iconic characters to pivotal moments and invaluable items, the more intentional and thoughtful an asset is, the greater its impact on the player experience and the lasting legacy of a game. While this correlation isn’t always direct, the pressure on studios to develop highly detailed art assets, captivating storytelling, and immersive worlds is immense. However, the challenge lies in balancing sustainability and riding the waves of hype, as burnout and asset “misses” can lead to negative feedback loops that strain the relationship between developers and players.

Memorable Assets: World of Warcraft’s Success Story
World of Warcraft (WoW) stands as a testament to the power of memorable assets, as proven by the resounding success of the game’s classic relaunch. Through unforgettable bosses and items, WoW not only creates cherished memories but instills a burning desire in players to return to its vast world. This highlights the strength of well-crafted assets and their ability to leave a lasting impression.

Navigating Real-World Constraints: Asset Reskinning and Reuse
In an ideal world, unlimited funding and boundless creativity would pave the way for future content and assets. However, within the constraints of reality, such as limited time and budget, developers often turn to solutions like asset reskinning or reuse. WoW’s third expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, exemplifies this approach, with the first raid tier being a reskin of the last raiding tier from the vanilla version. By leveraging memorable enemy and item models, developers tapped into nostalgia while mitigating budget and time constraints.

The Untapped Potential: Asset Mirroring and Reversing
One promising avenue yet to be explored in World of Warcraft is the concept of mirroring assets. Racing games commonly employ this technique to add difficulty by reversing or mirroring tracks. It offers an elegant design solution because, although racing tracks are relatively straightforward to plan, populating them with meaningful assets and narratives presents a significant challenge. By sending players in the opposite direction or through mirrored tracks, developers can provide a slightly new experience without the need for creating entirely new assets. Adding reskins or palette swaps can introduce variations, gradually transforming the experience into an entirely different map. Embracing systemic methodologies like asset recycling allows studios to explore multiple avenues for implementing new content.

Enriching Old Assets: The Potential of Design Details
Blizzard took a similar approach to asset recycling with itemization, using common models with reskins between expansions. However, there are further opportunities, such as mirroring and theming Naxxramas differently. By carefully ideating and testing, developers can implement small design and story details to breathe new life into existing assets. For example, reversing the order of wings or incorporating unique interactions and environments like swimming through sewers can create a fresh and captivating experience.

The Cataclysmic Shift: Rethinking Old World Zones
Blizzard’s revamp of old world zones in Cataclysm, though initially met with mixed reactions, was a necessary response to the game’s evolving world. As WoW expanded from Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdom to Outlands and Northrend, revisiting the old world and utilizing asset recycling became crucial for budget and time constraints while still meeting fan expectations. With Classic Era WoW now a permanent option, these changes are likely to be received with more welcome, as players may appreciate the originals while embracing the essential and remarkable nature of remixes.

Carefully and masterfully creating assets in game design leads to enduring memories for players. Whether through iconic characters, moments, or items, deliberate and well-thought-out assets have a profound impact on the player experience and the lasting legacy of a game. While time and budget constraints pose challenges, embracing techniques like asset reskinning, reuse, and mirroring can open doors to new content possibilities. By carefully considering design details and leveraging existing assets, developers can create fresh experiences that captivate players and add depth to beloved games.

Navigating Loot Distribution and GDKP

When it comes to distributing loot in World of Warcraft, the options are vast and varied. One system that has gained both popularity and controversy is the GDKP or gold bid raid. Having hosted over 1000 GDKP raids myself, I have witnessed firsthand the complexities, the misunderstandings, and the benefits that come with this unique loot distribution method. In this post, I aim to delve into the intricacies of GDKP raids, address common misconceptions, and explore the impact of real-money trading (RMT) concerns in the context of the evolving WoW Token.

Understanding the GDKP System

GDKP raids revolutionize loot distribution by allowing players to bid their accumulated gold on items that drop during the raid. This unique system replaces the uncertainties found in other loot distribution methods, such as MS/OS or loot council, with a clear and transparent process. In GDKP raids, players can accurately assess their chances of obtaining desired items based on their willingness to bid and the amount of gold they have. This stands in contrast to MS/OS raids, where loot distribution relies on equal but random chance, and loot council raids, which may be susceptible to corruption or favoritism. Thus, GDKP raids empower players with agency and certainty, providing a refreshing departure from other loot systems.

Moreover, the GDKP system creates a dynamic environment where players actively participate in determining the value of items. Instead of being subjected to predetermined rules or loot council decisions, players themselves hold the power through the bidding process. This sense of agency and involvement not only enhances the overall experience of loot acquisition but also fosters a fair and engaging atmosphere. In conventional raiding, players have limited control over their item acquisition, often relying on social dynamics or luck-based dice rolls. However, in GDKP raids, players can assess and control their access to gear even before the raid begins, granting them a level of control unmatched in other loot systems. This aspect holds true even in pick-up groups, where players can engage in a transparent and self-determined process, leveling the playing field and promoting a sense of fairness for all participants.

Range of Benefits

GDKP raids provide a range of benefits that cater to diverse players, including those in pick-up groups or with multiple characters. The ability to accumulate gold from multiple raids allows players to invest in specific characters or contribute to their guild’s pursuit of coveted items. This flexibility empowers players to personalize their loot acquisition and tailor their progression according to their individual needs and goals, fostering a sense of autonomy and advancement within the World of Warcraft community.

Additionally, GDKP raids offer raiders an alternative path of progression. When guilds face stagnation or encounter obstacles in their regular progression, players often seek new avenues for advancement within the game. Alternate characters, or alts, present an opportunity for players to participate in GDKP raids and rapidly develop and gear up these additional characters in a predictable and engaging environment. This alternate route of progression, outside of regular raid nights, brings additional incentives, rewards, and enjoyment to players, expanding their horizons and enhancing their overall gaming experience.

Enhanced Raid Composition and Participation

In GDKP raids, camaraderie takes on a practical and transactional tone, where experienced players assume the role of skilled mercenaries, offering their assistance to those with substantial financial resources. While these interactions may initially be transactional in nature, the overall synergy, cohesiveness, and elevated level of experience in GDKP raids contribute to their success compared to typical pick-up groups. It is an environment where performance and reward are expected, creating a distinct mindset and approach among participants.

Furthermore, GDKP raids offer the advantage of bringing together a larger pool of skilled players who no longer require gear from the raid. This dynamic enhances raid composition and participation, fostering a positive environment for players seeking specific items or aiming to improve their character’s performance. By including players who have already obtained their desired gear, GDKP raids provide raid organizers with the opportunity to assemble and execute groups more effectively. The presence of this broader pool of experienced players enables better coordination and significantly increases the chances of success in challenging raid encounters. It creates a favorable scenario where players can optimize their raiding experience and achieve their goals more efficiently.

Unlike traditional loot systems, where certain items may be hard reserved for specific individuals or organizations, GDKP raids introduce a different approach. Organizers have the option to take a percentage cut of the gold pot, which helps fund additional raid management efforts. This provides a tangible incentive for raid leaders to continue organizing and managing successful raids, even if they no longer require gear from those particular encounters.

Controversies and RMT Concerns

Despite the undeniable benefits of GDKP raids, controversies have arisen within the WoW community. One of the primary points of contention revolves around the shift from the traditional meritocracy associated with gaming to an emphasis on wealth as a measure of reward. This departure has sparked debates and criticisms, as some argue that loot distribution should be primarily based on skill and dedication. Historically, the most powerful loot in the game was typically reserved for strong players within strong guilds, creating a perception that gearscore and skill were synonymous. Moreover, concerns regarding real-money trading (RMT) have plagued online games for years, and the introduction of the WoW Token has further complicated the discussion. The ability to convert real-world currency into in-game gold raises questions about the integrity of loot distribution and the potential for unfair advantages through external transactions. This issue challenges the fundamental principle that all players enter the game as equals, relying on their in-game abilities and knowledge to differentiate themselves. RMT represents a departure from this shared agreement, allowing real-world qualities to influence in-game success.

Balancing fair loot distribution systems in the context of GDKP raids can be a challenging task. The inherent nature of GDKP, where players bid and accumulate gold as a form of reward, introduces the potential for that gold to be obtained through external means such as RMT. While RMT exists and offers immediate access to gold, the reality is that only a small minority of extreme cases benefit significantly from gold buying in GDKP raids. In fact, the majority of GDKP raiders earn their gold through dedicated gameplay and participation in multiple GDKP raids, using the accumulated gold to fund their involvement in other raids. The widespread participation of dedicated players in GDKP raids demonstrates that gold buying is not a necessity but rather serves as a catch-up mechanic or a way for players to match their desired level of skill or investment in the game. It becomes more of an optional expression of one’s commitment and resources. While the presence of RMT remains a concern, it is important to recognize that the majority of players engaging in GDKP raids do so through legitimate means, without relying on external gold acquisition.

Navigating the Complexities

In conclusion, GDKP raids in World of Warcraft offer a unique and intricate loot distribution system that has captured the attention of players and generated both enthusiasm and controversy, quickly becoming the favorite loot distribution method for all of my PUGs. To navigate the complexities of GDKP raids effectively, it is crucial for players to approach them with an open mind, appreciating their positive aspects, understanding their intricacies, and engaging in discussions to find a balance between transparency and the values inherent in traditional reward systems.

By acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of GDKP raids, players can address misunderstandings, foster a vibrant and supportive raiding community, and work towards refining and improving the system. It is through ongoing dialogue and a commitment to fairness and inclusivity that the potential of GDKP raids can be fully realized within the World of Warcraft universe.

WoW Token

The gaming industry has undergone significant changes, with the introduction of real-money trade being a notable development. The World of Warcraft Token (WoW Token) exemplifies this trend, igniting controversy and debate. While opinions on real-money trade may vary, it is important to view its implementation as a deliberate feature rather than a flaw.

Real-money trade disrupts the traditional notion of equality in gaming, where players escape real-world inequalities and uphold an unspoken agreement on merit. Critics argue that transferring real-world wealth into the gaming environment challenges the level playing field cherished by gamers. The impact of real-money trade warrants critical examination, raising questions about the value of skill and dedication when financial investments offer shortcuts to success.

Moreover, real-money trade can commodify in-game progress and achievements, potentially undermining the inclusivity and accessibility of gaming. Concerns arise about success being determined by financial resources rather than individual skill and dedication, placing players at a disadvantage if they choose not to engage in real-money trade.

Despite ongoing debates about its merits, real-money trade offers convenience and flexibility to players with limited time but ample financial resources. It caters to the demands of a fast-paced world where time constraints are prevalent. Additionally, as the gaming community matures, real-money trade acknowledges the needs of adults with disposable income but limited time for lengthy gameplay sessions. It allows them to participate and compete at their desired power level.

In addition to the convenience and flexibility offered by real-money trade, it is important to consider what can be acquired with in-game gold. Players have the opportunity to make various quality-of-life improvements, such as purchasing epic mounts, larger bags and banks, and items available on the auction house. However, a particular source of animosity arises from GDKP raids, where players bring large amounts of gold into a raid and are carried by more skilled players, accumulating raid gear through gold transactions.

While some argue that this diminishes the direct correlation between a player’s gearscore and their skill, it is not a simple equation where gold alone can overcome a lack of skill. Effortlessly climbing the progression ladder in World of Warcraft solely through gold is not feasible for the average player. Social dynamics, a baseline expectation of performance, and connections play crucial roles. While the raw amount of gold possessed can differentiate the most extreme buyers, this narrow scope of obtaining hard mode loot represents only a minority of the player base.

It is true that the gaming landscape has changed, and skill is no longer the sole determining factor at the pinnacle of progression. However, it is essential to recognize that gold is not the sole factor shaping a player’s agency and power in the game. Other factors, in addition to gold, contribute to the modern player’s effectiveness. While gold holds significant influence in extreme cases, it is important to consider the broader context and understand that it is not the sole determinant of success or skill.

The introduction of the WoW Token and real-money trade has sparked a divisive and contentious debate within the gaming community. There is no definitive answer to this complex issue, as different perspectives exist. Navigating the challenges posed by real-money trade requires ongoing dialogue, respectful consideration of differing viewpoints, and a willingness to explore alternative solutions. Recognizing the divisive nature of the topic and the absence of a one-size-fits-all solution is crucial in addressing the complexities of real-money trade in the gaming industry.

Finding Yourself In Azeroth

World of Warcraft is not just a game, but a platform for self-expression. As a player, you have the freedom to explore different aspects of your personality and even learn new skills. With dozens of different guilds to join and thousands of players to talk to, WoW provides endless networking, collaborating, and working opportunities.

Personally, I use WoW to explore and experience management and leadership. In the game, there are many guilds to join or create, each with its own set of rules and hierarchy. I take this opportunity to learn how to manage and lead, honing my skills and gaining new experiences.

Additionally, I use WoW to experience a different side of money or resource allocation, becoming extremely wealthy within the game and creating giveaways or sponsorships. This not only helps me learn about managing finances and resources but also allows me to give back to the WoW community.

Another way I use WoW as a platform for self-expression is by experiencing learning and teaching. In the game, there are always things to explore or learn, and there are many players to work with or help. I take this opportunity to teach others, sharing my knowledge and experiences, and in turn, learn from them.

These are just a few examples of how WoW can be used as a platform for self-expression. Whether you want to be exactly who you are in real life or take a chance to explore a different part of yourself, WoW provides players with the freedom to express themselves in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Expressing oneself in a virtual world like World of Warcraft is not only essential to the gaming experience but also to personal growth and development. The freedom to explore different aspects of oneself and learn new skills makes WoW a unique and rewarding experience. So, the next time you log in to WoW, take some time to explore the many ways you can express yourself and see how it enhances your gaming experience.

Guilds Represent

Guilds in World of Warcraft are like flags or banners that represent the ideas and values of a group. They are formed by players for various reasons, such as having a cool name, a particular identity, or for their raiding schedule. However, after interviewing guild masters and raid leaders, it becomes clear that many guilds are idealistic yet mismanaged or impractical in nature.

Forming an identity, maintaining a vision, and executing a plan for a guild can be challenging, especially when the only reward is the “fun” of it. Organizing a guild and raid requires a significant amount of work. That work can be meaningful and that’s what makes it special. However, the resistance to organization from players who seek instant gratification creates turmoil for passionate organizers and leaders, as they may feel like they have little control over creating a successful guild.

Guild leaders often face difficulties in balancing the desires of individual players with the overall goals of the guild. Some players may prioritize their own immediate needs or wants, which can clash with the long-term vision and plans of the guild. This results in mismanagement, lack of coordination, and frustration among guild members.

Another challenge is the constant change in the game’s meta, which can affect raid strategies, class balances, and other game mechanics. Guild leaders and raid leaders need to adapt and plan accordingly, which requires time, effort, and coordination. However, some players may not appreciate the effort required and may have unrealistic expectations for instant success or rewards, leading to dissatisfaction and conflict within the guild.

Despite these challenges, guilds can be successful when there is a shared vision, clear communication, and dedication from guild leaders and members. Building a strong guild community that supports and respects each other can create a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved. It requires a balance between organization and flexibility, and an understanding that creating a successful guild takes time, effort, and commitment.

Guilds in World of Warcraft are not just about a cool name or raiding schedule, but also about representing ideas and values. Organizing and maintaining a guild can be challenging, but with the right vision, dedication, and communication, it is possible to create a successful and fulfilling guild experience. Guild leaders and members need to work together, be patient, and understand that meaningful rewards often come from the effort and dedication put into building and maintaining a guild community.

A WoW Guild is a Business

In a previous post, we went over the differences between a business and a public service. In this post, we’ll cover how a World of Warcraft guild is not a public service, but rather a business.

While building a World of Warcraft guild may seem like a hobby or a public service, it is much more akin to running a business. Because there are so many competing guilds in WoW, a successful guild requires leadership, management, resources, and exclusiveness.

Leadership is Key

Just like any business, a successful WoW guild requires strong leadership. A guild leader must be able to set a vision, establish goals, and motivate their team to achieve success. Guild leaders must be able to communicate their vision and goals clearly to all members of the guild. They must also be able to listen to feedback and respond to concerns from members of the guild. Guild leaders must also be able to manage conflict and make difficult decisions that may not be popular with all members of the guild. They must be able to coordinate schedules and ensure that all members are working towards the same objectives. Guild leaders must also be able to identify areas where coordination is lacking and take steps to address these issues. While leadership is necessary in both businesses and public services, leadership is more often necessary in a business due to the need to adapt, takes risks, and compete with the others in the marketplace.

Management is Critical

A WoW guild is not just a group of players who come together to play the game. It requires careful management to ensure that all members are working together towards a common goal. Guild leaders must manage player schedules, organize raids, assign tasks, and monitor performance to ensure that the guild is progressing and achieving success. In contract, public services may be organized into different departments or divisions, but tend to be flatter structures with less hierarchy compared to businesses. Businesses are often empowered to make decisions quickly and independently, as the success of the business often depends on quick decision-making. These types of decisions cannot be easily reached through public and bureaucratic consensus, as their decisions often have broader implications for the public. Without central leadership, management becomes more self-delegated and results become more selfish or microscopic rather than for a greater good.

Resources are Limited

In a business, managers are focused on increasing revenue, managing costs, and generating profits for shareholders, while public service managers are focused on delivering high-quality services to the public, often within a set budget. Public services are funded by taxes from the government or local community, while WoW guilds, on the other hand, must rely on their own resources and fundraising efforts to support their activities. This means that guilds must be self-sufficient and manage their resources carefully to ensure that they can continue to operate. Just like a business, a WoW guild has limited resources. These resources include the player pool, player time, gold, and other in-game resources. Guild leaders must manage these resources carefully to ensure that they are being used effectively. This means making decisions about how to allocate resources, whether it be investing in new raid times, new gear, or purchasing more materials for the guild bank. Several factors such as funding, allocation, accountability, and risk tolerance vary greatly from businesses and public services.

Membership is a privilege, not a right

Membership has both rewards and responsibilities. In terms of rewards, unlike a public service, joining a WoW guild is not a right or entitlement. Members must meet certain criteria and be approved by the guild leadership before being admitted. This means that guilds can be selective about who they admit and can choose to exclude players who do not meet their standards. In terms of responsibilities, public servants are often expected to serve for a certain period of time, while WoW guild members are free to leave at any time. This means that guilds must work hard to keep their members engaged and motivated, and must continually recruit new members to replace those who leave. Businesses must compete with other companies in the same industry for customers, market share, and profits. This requires strong leadership that can develop competitive strategies, differentiate products and services, and build strong brands. Public services, on the other hand, often have a monopoly on the services they provide and do not face the same level of competition. As a guild, attaining and retaining members is never guaranteed and is a tremendous sign of positive growth.

In summary, building a World of Warcraft guild is more like running a business than a public service. A successful guild requires leadership, management, resources, and exclusiveness. Leadership is necessary for both businesses and public services, but more often necessary in a business due to the need to adapt, take risks, and compete with others in the marketplace. Management is critical for a guild to ensure all members are working together towards a common goal, something most easily accomplished in a hierarchical business structure. A WoW guild has limited resources that must be managed carefully, unlike public services funded by taxes. Membership in a WoW guild is a privilege, not a right, and members must meet certain criteria and be approved by the guild leadership before being admitted.

Public services are beholden to a general population, not a privileged subsection, are funded by taxes, not business revenue, are regulated and controlled, as opposed to free and creative, are owned by government or public organizations, not groups or individuals, and face little to no competition, unlike the free market. The only way a WoW guild could be a public service is if Blizzard provided a default community guild with no guild master or hierarchy and with no agenda or leadership.

Inspiring Attendance

I’ve been leading a lot of raids in World of Warcraft, what else is new?

When I first started playing this expansion, I was in a much smaller, more serious guild. We were able to kill the content quickly and people were very competent. We weren’t the best of the best, but we were improving steadily. Before Ulduar came out, it almost seemed too easy. We weren’t the only ones who experienced this, I saw many players quit the game as soon as they got their achievements.

Logging in to the game to find players leaving, communities becoming smaller, is not a good feeling. There were times where I felt alone when I logged in, especially when playing an Alliance character, away from my Horde counterparts I had invested in years before. Raid nights were different and attendance would jump up to nearly a full raid. The numbers began to dwindle and I lost focus on that server, preferring to return to my old Horde characters.

On my Horde server, I’ve found an amazing community of casual gamers. The guild is so large that one players absence is not as detrimental. It’s nice befriending people and checking in on them when they’re unable to play, but it’s not so fun to try to replace these people and have them feel like they’re obligated to join. It’s a nice feeling being able to support an open raiding system with players freely coming in or out based on their schedule, with more serious players coming each week and more casual ones dipping their toes in and out of the water.

For many casual players, this is their first raiding experience or at least first in a long time. It’s a bit jarring for new players to work together in groups of 10 or 25 in real time, but once expectations are understood and the environment becomes more settled in, new players find themselves enjoying it just as much as veterans.

The most rewarding experience in these casual raids is not the RPG elements of the game, as killing the bosses could be done with a much more serious group and loot could be much more seriously focused on. The most rewarding experience is the MMO aspect, logging into a large guild and forming a large group with only guild members, working on content together, and most of all, coming together after the raid to chat about a bright future. I’ve began hosting optional town hall meetings after raids and almost all of the raiders stick around to chat and listen, only a few must sign off early. It inspires me to do a better job of leading the players in raid and a better job organizing the guild in general. Seeing everyone’s willingness to stay, improve, and socialize is truly beautiful.

Maneuvering with Inexperience

Yesterday I hosted Naxxramas 25 for entry level raiders. The content is about four or five months old, in terms of the rerelease. In terms of first release, the content was released in 2008, 15 years ago. I give this game context because players have a large expectation of experience or knowledge when it comes to a rereleased game. I have yet to watch the following video, but it will be a great watch given its view count and production.

While I’ll have to watch the details of this film more closely, the title and the comments suggest that information is readily available to make the experience more playable or more fun, but players choose to ignore this information.

That’s something that’s tough to swallow, especially for the type of gamer who enjoys excelling at their craft. Not every player falls into this category and not all players will follow the same M.O.. The way to solve Rubik’s cubes is posted online, with tutorials and walkthroughs. Does everyone know how to solve one? No, because most people just don’t care for this puzzle.

How is a Rubik’s cube similar to World of Warcraft? With such a large, immersive world, WoW has the ability to engage players with multiple systems and games, not just one front. While a Rubik’s cube’s only enjoyment or fulfillment comes from solving a random or more challenging puzzle, World of Warcraft offers thousands of different puzzles and games, many of which are optional. For some players, the world alone is beautiful enough to engage with.

If anyone can be new or inexperienced at a game, no matter how much information is available, how should we go about our expectations? This is a difficult one especially without communication. I brought up my Naxxramas run from yesterday because it was an arduous and long run. One of the pain points I had was an assumption of knowledge or understanding of communication. There were many times when I relayed boss fights or instructions with open ended assignments or as passing notes. Until I was very specific, with player names and exact positions, did we achieve our best results. This comes at some costs. There are times where I rehearse fights before they happen and there are times when I explain things beforehand and players fail to manage what I had mentioned. As an instructor, the only true measurement of success is the passing of knowledge and a fulfillment of a test. Unfortunately with a real time game, there’s also the expectation of fun and the expectation of scheduling.

There is balance between over-explaining and taking too long and underexplaining and having poor execution. Two conclusions I reached after failing to reach my goals within the three hour raid window I had set aside were: with inexperienced tanks, the players in front of the raid taking damage, it is in my best interest to preview the run with them in some way so they can visually see everything before hearing an explanation and it is in my best interest to ask specific players if they understand their assignment or role in a fight regardless of my explanation. There is a statistic I heard from one of my teachers, sharing with us how difficult it is being a teacher and engaging with students. She said the average teacher waits 3 seconds after asking a question, before feeling defeated without a response. In the teacher’s mind, 3 seconds is a long time. For a student, it is a brief moment. Difference in knowledge and experience creates different shared experiences. Patience and understanding are key to any student-teacher relationship and the only true measurement of success is improvement and delivered results.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

There are two polar opposite views on success within a community. One is that one person’s success may bring up everyone’s success. This is summarized in the phrase: a rise tide lifts all boats. Another view is that one person’s success is the only success to be had. This is actually summarized as crabs in a bucket, where a crab pulls down any crab making its way out of a bucket, as if to spite each other’s progress.

As my guild reaches maximum capacity, we are in a pivotal position to either gain momentum and form many groups or to stagnate and slowly bleed out members. I say the latter with such pessimism because I have witnessed other guilds and have experienced pick up groups that have failed to launch or took large efforts in forming, taking away from precious raiding time. Lots of guilds and raids are competing with each other at similar time slots, allowing the free market to fully work, which will inevitably result in some collateral damage, i.e. the entrepreneur or business that fails.

What’s difficult about small communities is that while the free market is an impersonal law of economics, player bases are not rational, organized, or adherent to normal laws of economics. Some players will fantasize about being the best and will bootlick their way into any competent organization. Some players overinflate their egos and demand whatever they can out of whoever they can, regardless of equal value exchange. In many ways, opportunities, products, and services are incredibly limited in small communities which could easily cause insecurity and crab mentality. When success is scarce, any personal success feels that much more delicate.

Unlike the real world, digital communities and small communities that have yet to sunset have almost unlimited potential to grow. Prosperity and abundance are so easily practiced in the real world where things are finite, yet within small communities we become blind to this mentality. I was guilty as such when I first started hosting Super Smash Bros. tournaments. I thought I had competitors or adversaries that I had to manage or coordinate against. In reality, they had the same goals as myself and it was much better to collaborate and coordinate together with them. I experimented with many different solutions, from working together, to hiring them, to working for them, and to contracting them. All of those solutions were much more favorable than closed communication. It was difficult for me to see this at first, because I thought of compromise as a loss of integrity. But any communication and collaboration can go a long way and that potential is worth more than a lonely path with missing bridges behind you.

My top goal for my guild at this point is to create several raid leaders and organizers that can sustain the guild without my personal presence. As I reach out to other guilds and teach my own members how to raid lead, I hope to create a network of strong leaders than can organize and maintain the large social group we’ve created.

Compromising Before Conflict

Something that I think is very straightforward but somehow lost upon some is that everything comes at a price, everything is a trade off. There’s nothing that is purely good and there is nothing that is purely evil. This message gets lost upon some most likely because it is difficult to see multiple perspectives and most personal experiences can be summed up wholly as good or bad.

Part of being a consumer of any product or service is that the consumer is the last person to experience the exchange and reaps only the benefits of a transactional exchange. This seems fair and logical for the buyer, as why would the buyer accept any other offer aside from one that makes sense? Unfortunately, that is not always the case with sellers, business, or services.

How is this possible? How can a business or service provide something that doesn’t make any sense? It would have to make business sense, ethical sense, moral sense, and beyond if it were to stand the test of time, would it? That is just not the case. From fast fashion brands like Zara becoming one of the wealthiest companies in our lifetime from hiding its practices in favor of profits, to tech companies emerging as arbiters of communication and advertising, all the way to small local shops that once existed and were bulldozes by superstores and Amazon, business don’t have to make sense as a whole, they just have to make sense to a customer base. The most desired thing out of a consumer, as previously mentioned, is the delivered product. That is the only thing they care about.

The same can be said of services and events. For many participants, what happens behind closed doors and after hours is none of their concern. The only concern they have is value per dollar or value per hour, measured in satisfaction or happiness. Was this a good experience? Was this a good product?

Conversely, businesses and services have to create something from essentially nothing, creating value out of something that others do not care to do. Why doesn’t everyone open a restaurant? It’s because many that do fail. Why doesn’t everyone own a business? Because business take a lot of time and energy and they always have a chance of failing.

The compromise products and services make is that the companies that provide them believe their investment will be returned and then some. There is no guarantee and each business seeks a different amount of “and then some.”

For the companies that place more emphasis on their product than their profits, it is more likely than not that the company will decline in health over time without a cash lifeline. Tech companies such as Facebook or Uber have placed incredibly large bets on their products over their profits, becoming stark exceptions to this rule. However, these exceptions are rare and businesses are constantly losing the battle between servicing consumers and staying alive. Without capital, a noble business is just volunteer work.

This is where premeditated compromise is necessary. If a business finds itself faltering or struggling, the only thing it can do to save itself is to provide a better service or product. Some companies try the opposite approach, of reorganizing finances and charging higher prices or finding lower costs. This tends to be a short term solution that only works if it buys the company enough time to create a better product or service.

How can a company compromise to create a better product or service? Some of this has to do with listening to customer feedback and honing in on what makes their company unique or special. Some times it relies on critical investigation and discovering latent reasons why clients enjoy the service or product. And most obviously it can do with changing the product or service to be more in line with customer expectations or satisfaction. Often times, negative or critical feedback will never be provided and only a new, proper solution can highlight deficits.

The largest compromise I am making with my casual guild in World of Warcraft is working with another guild to start a conjoint raid. The results are very promising, but the cost comes at fewer of our members are able to attend due to a shift in time and a stricter roster limit. The bet I am placing is that the experience and rewards from a successful conjoint raid outweighs the short term consequences at this time. There will be a deadline to shift gears or promise more from my product or service and this deadline must be beat with the strong community of players that should come to grow from this experience. The risks involved include losing guild members that are benched too often and irritating both the most casual and most hardcore players with a diluted vision. As time progresses, I’ll have more options to deal with these grievances and hopefully have more players to build a foundation with.