What makes a good Free Company?

So the game is down for a 4 hour maintenance (again) and the need for a passing distraction has driven me to two drastically dangerous acts. Thinking, and posting.

So I have to ask a question. What makes a good Free Company?

In any game there is always a distinguishing difference between Guilds/Clans/Companies/Frat Parties that see glorified prosperity and those that are in a constant struggle to maintain themselves. Why is that? What is it that makes that difference?
And I'm not really asking out of a need for personal education but rather I'm interested in hearing what everyone's opinion is.
Pretty much every FC I see on our server these days has been advertising themselves as a close-knit group of friends, family, and casual gamers, just looking to have fun and enjoy the game, making me feel simultaneously happy that our community is so friendly and good-natured and yet morbidly afraid that I'm going to be hit by a stray care bear stare.

On an unrelated note I'm forced to double-post in order to express my disbelief that each individual post is limited to a mere 1,000 characters long?! What the hell kind of self-defeating forum RESTRICTS communication when that is a forums one singular purpose?

Who designed this? -.-#

in theory, it should be a community that caters to your needs i.e. casuals should be in a casual group, and raiders find themselves a raider group.

in reality, if a fc only focuses on the casual things without future plans for at least some engagement with end-game activities, its members will slowly leave because the game is designed with progression in mind, be it in terms of running dungeons, or lvl-ing high lvl crafts. so i guess my take on an 'ideal fc' is one that does not remain idle, where the leaders constantly look at what the members r doing / need to be that one step ahead of everyone else.

re word limit, you could post, and edit over and over again and the limit wont be a problem anymore!

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Originally Posted by Shuon

in theory, it should be a community that caters to your needs i.e. casuals should be in a casual group, and raiders find themselves a raider group.
so i guess my take on an 'ideal fc' is one that does not remain idle, where the leaders constantly look at what the members r doing / need to be that one step ahead of everyone else.

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Being active is critical. But also having a genuine desire to help out other players is a big part of what a good free company is to me. I would rather do things like farm materials for a FC member then sell them at the market for bottomed out prices, or run a dungeon with some low level players just to help them out and learn the fights. Basically your free company is a community in the game and each one is going to differ based on each players attitudes. Your going to find everything from casuals, to elites. It's just a matter of taste really.

Edit: One more thing. Probably the most critical. Find out what time your FC plays. I was in one that really didn't have any members on at the same time as me. That really doesn't help out for reaching end game. Time zones are critical.

That is a good point about helping out players, Gadzi. In my experiences in online gaming one of the most prevalent causes for developing players of a Guild, or in this case an FC, to leave is because their questions or requests for help are ignored. As such, I think its important to reply to someone even if just to tell them you don't know the answer or can't assist at this time. That way they at least feel acknowledged.

By contrast, however, there are also many cases of high level players leaving because less developed players are constantly asking for help too. There is a balance there, I think, where perhaps a Free Company should not extend it's population beyond what it's veteran members are capable of assisting. Otherwise it may overtax them.

But I imagine even that is just a small part of what must make a truly good Free Company.


Oh and thanks for the work-around tip on the thousand character limit, Shuon.
Planning for the future also makes a lot of sense. There is a saying, strife breeds unity. The idea is that when faced with a common threat or problem, people band together to overcome it. Although that is a more intensive way of putting it, the challenges of a common goal works much the same way. I would imagine a Free Company that doesn't keep it's members moving in a mutual direction is destined to stagnate.

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Originally Posted by ArilynSkye

On an unrelated note I'm forced to double-post in order to express my disbelief that each individual post is limited to a mere 1,000 characters long?! What the hell kind of self-defeating forum RESTRICTS communication when that is a forums one singular purpose?

Who designed this? -.-#

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The trick is to post something THEN edit it. You can add as much text as you want while editing. I would shamelessly link our recruitment thread as an example but that's not what this thread is about.

#shamelessFCplug

First and foremost, like-minded people. If you want to do A but everyone else wants to do B, it will never work. Someone who wants to raid 5 days a week is just incompatible with someone who can only raid on the weekends. This sort of covers time-zone, which is equally important.

Secondly, active and true leadership. If the leader/officers are not online, and are not speaking with and helping their members, the whole thing will fall apart. Likewise, if they are online but are not true leaders, things will fall apart as people become frustrated with the lack of direction/progression.

And thirdly, what you pointed out Arilyn, I think falls under growing too quickly. It happens in every MMO, the first few guilds formed spam-recruit everyone they can to get their name out there and try to get the best people. Unfortunately, they often implode or have a mass exodus as their membership is too varied in their desires and typically they don't have enough leaders.

At least, that is how I have always evaluated guilds that I am looking to join. It can be quite difficult to find one with all of the above mentioned, so these days I typically start a guild along with some friends I have coerced into joining the new crazy game with me :D

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Originally Posted by Dedayius

It can be quite difficult to find one with all of the above mentioned, so these days I typically start a guild along with some friends I have coerced into joining the new crazy game with me :D

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This time it was my doing! MUHAHA!

I'd like to propose an alternate theory about why guilds/free companies/whatevers advertise themselves the way they do - because, just like in the real world, buzzwords sell. When you have fourteen seconds to sell a product in a commercial, you want a catchy slogan and something that'll stick in the mind. The same is true when you have one shout in which to attract people to your FC, leading to groups that advertise themselves as 'laid-back hardcore' or 'recruiting all players for our tight-knit community.'

Which, unfortunately, means that truth in advertising can be really hit-or-miss.

Everyone above me has made some excellent points and pretty much nailed it. I just wanted to add one more because it's something I've been seeing a lot of lately.
A FC is like a company that anyone can start - but there's a big difference in who actually profits from this. Outside of Eorzea, a big-name CEO ends up getting to kick back and relax at the top of the food chain, and I think many players start a FC with this idea in mind. They'll attract like-minded players to make everyone's lives easier, including their own, and tackle the content they're struggling with.
The reality is that this couldn't be further from the truth. It's the leadership that has to work the hardest, organize constantly, make tough judgement calls, and adapt to the FC's needs.
A lot of players don't quite fully realize this and it can show in a FC's day-to-day.

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Originally Posted by PapaSteel

It's the leadership that has to work the hardest, organize constantly, make tough judgement calls, and adapt to the FC's needs.
A lot of players don't quite fully realize this and it can show in a FC's day-to-day.

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And you Good Sir are wise beyond your years.

No one can stand without crawling. Some of us it took years and many MMO's to figure this out. As with any FC, Guild, Outfit, or Organization, you are only as strong as your weakest link. If that weak link is it's leadership then it's paper thin and will crumble at the slightest wind.

Solid foundation and a steady play ethic can make a fortress that will weather any storm that is thrown against it. That foundation would have to be a balance of Leaders and Members. If both can not see eye to eye and achieve the same results then it will ultimately fall apart at the seems.

A Good FC or Guild would be a place that I can play my way with others that share the same goals or mindsets. If you not having fun playing a game then it is no longer a game at that point. A Good FC or Guild keeps that fun in the game and does not make it become a second job.

Mindsets are important because in our minds we picture this character. We want to see our chosen character do things we normally could not do in Real Life hence why we play this Fictional game. Items, gear, money, all revolve around our desires to succeed or accomplish the things we set for ourselves.
If I'm in a FC / Guild that makes things hard for other people, well that's not my mindset. I like to help people and have a good time doing it. So I joined a FC where both could be done at the same time without losing something in the process.

Best of Luck to whatever you do,

The above are all really good points that I definitely agree with. I didn't however see anyone mention one very vital piece to me; Communication.

An FC is only as strong as some of its leadership but to me a good FC, even with only average leadership, could still net great benefits as long as there is significant communication amongst the group - Not just to talk shop and strategies but to just talk with, bond, garner relationships and be social. For some people this game can be a significant outlet socially for them, and for others it might just be tertiary, but either way forming these friendships with likeminded people who you can joke with, talk with, etc., will ascertain a higher retention for the free company, and I think ergo, a higher rate of success.

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Originally Posted by PbFarmer

The above are all really good points that I definitely agree with. I didn't however see anyone mention one very vital piece to me; Communication.

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THIS

Getting people to bond and become invested in the community within an FC is essential to creating a lasting interest in both the game and the FC. Our FC as founded by 3 guys who've been gaming together for years because we met playing one game and the connection was such that we maintained it even after quitting the game we met playing.

I encourage all our members to be actively on coms as much as possible. There is no way on earth I would have hit 50 crafting without coms to chat on.

Wet t-shirt Tuesdays and make all the females do dungeon runs topless.

Also, give all members free Gil once a week.

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Originally Posted by Ebon_Drake

Wet t-shirt Tuesdays and make all the females do dungeon runs topless.

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I like this... I regularly tank AK in my bikini top and a huge wizard hat.

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Originally Posted by Ebon_Drake

Also, give all members free Gil once a week.

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Not so sure about this one.

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Also, give all members free Gil once a week.

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Pretty much got that covered...

It's so nice to see an assortment of well thought-out answers. It seems these days half the time I go onto a forum and pose a complex question the only reply I tend to get is

"wut? you really think anyone is gonna read all that??"

And truth be told I understand not every player has the attention span to read or even skim some of the posts I make. I do have a tendency to talk a lot. But I always hold out in the hopes that at least a couple individuals will. And it seems I am richly rewarded today, our forum is brimming with people willing to read and think. Sparing me the painstaking need to abbreviate every word over 5 letters into something more simple.

And it's just as well, with each of you portraying your extensive understanding of Free Companies you've done just as much to advertise your capable FC's as any Recruitment message or Topic would have. At the very least I know for certain that I owe every individual who replied here my respect. Well, almost every individual.

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I digress though, I did say I talked a lot didn't I? To return to the topic, I'm glad PbFarmer pointed out communication and relations. It's a true fact that any game, no matter how entertaining, will eventually become boring when you play it enough times, especially by yourself. It is the people you game with which keeps things new and refreshing each day, and only with friends can a person maintain an interest in a game beyond their natural attention span.

omg I got hit by a care bear stare.

Lacking that having good enemies and opponents to keep things competitive works as a good alternative too. Ironic that.
But I have to also say I wholeheartedly agree with PapaSteel's mention of a strong leader. There is no question that a Leader's actions will make or break an FC. In fact, in the past a guild leader's solid leadership can make them so iconic that on the day they do finally retire there is a 90% probability that any individual they select to inherit leadership will never hold the same degree of influence, no matter how capable they are, as the original leader. That's pretty sciencey, no? Actually I just made that up. But based on my personal experiences that is all too often the case.

At the same time, however, as centrally important to an FC as a leader might be, there are limits to what one individual person can do. Equally important to an FC's success, and more often overlooked, are the people in the FC that a leader can depend on. Whether it is a leader, a recruiter, a person helping other members, an officer helping to resolve disputes or resolve problems, it is the efforts of every member willing to help out that truly makes a Free Company what it is. After all, a leader without members is just some guy. Shouting in the Chats.
Ha. Now I've contributed something intelligent too.
Nevertheless the success of any online group begins and ends with the Leader. Which begs the next question.

What makes a good Leader?

What makes a good leader in an FC is applicable in all places. In order of importance I think from most to least: a nice mix of Charisma, Wit, at least average intelligence, and a level of competence in their field. Charisma is a strong foundation for any leader, because their sense of presence can make a group of people follow them or at least listen. If you have no charisma, people are going to just ignore you in the first place. So this is inclusive of a strong voice, good direction, and probably someone mostly levelheaded. A good wit keeps the charm alive, and average intelligence ensures a level of maturity that we should expect. All those things together supercede the last ingredient which is the ability to actually walk the walk in this game. An FC leader can talk and guide and help organize raids without having to necessarily be good enough to participate themselves, but it helps in the long run.

I blog. My food blog and my code/football blog are much bigger than my gaming blog, but..

I've put a few of my thoughts on what I'd like in a free company on my gaming blog. And yes, communication is key, but it can't just be ad hoc..

What I blogged.

An excerpt:

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One of the earliest issues are the blind invites to free companies. After ignoring a few of them, I accepted one. What did I get? No website, no hello, no FC chat, no discussion at all. The FC existed for the purpose of filling someone’s ego who then didn’t do what a FC should do: give people a context within which to play the game. Needless to say, I left that guild after a few days.

I have questions about my play. I’d like to talk about these issues first before blindly rushing forward with leveling in a game where the skill to play the role defines success or failure. A free company should play a major factor in this, and by that standard, I had good free companies the first two MMOs I played.

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