I don't want to join a Free Company because...

[thedevilsjester]

Some people tell me "No thanks". I've never really gotten a straight answer as to exactly why people do not want to join FCs.

For me its all in the name. I will not join a FC that tries to "be cute" with their FC name (or one that just completely lacks creativity and imagination). Often when I join a FC or <insert name of guild-like system in whatever MMO> I end up trying to find a balance between enjoyable people and a FC with a name that I can "live with".

There are other things as well, such as it taking more than a good party or two with some people from a certain FC before I can get a good idea of their personalities and if they would be people that I want to associate with.

[d4rkie]

I play at my own pace, randomly, and thus there's no way there's any FC that would be OK with my play style - even if I'm hellbent on leveling all DoL and DoH at once >_>

Besides, reading about FC drama here and there, I just politely say "Sorry, No. thanks" or just ignore the random invites sent to me in certain zones. I'll group with you for fates and dungeons, but FC is too much of an anchor keeping me from doing all the things wrong and my way. So, "Sorry, No. thank you for asking, though"

[Farore]

Well, there are lots of reasons I don't join guilds, FC's or any other player community in games. (Despite the perks, yes.)

Firstly, the name. If the name is something vulgar, dark or otherwise offensive to me, I won't sport it over my head. I want something floating over my head that I can be proud of, not something I get strange looks for. Second, the logo / tabard / symbol / whatever. If the logo is trying to be obscene, or if it's just outright dumb, I won't join either, because I want my character to wear a symbol that looks appropriate, not silly.

The biggest reason I don't join them though, is the community itself. A lot of people in games these days are immature, obnoxious little kids, or grown people who have no mental ability at all, and I just don't care to read about sex, drugs, violence and all that every day, all day. It's harder than you think to find a nice, respectable community that you'd actually want to be a part of.

I hope that helps you in your question!

[KimimiAvesta]

I am in an FC, and so far all the chat/play I've participated in has been pleasant and made me glad I joined them - but I am wary of FCs/guilds because they tend to fall into two categories in my experience; either the super hardcore MUST GUILD RAID EVERY TUESDAY FROM 1900 TO 0200 OR BE KICKED or the extreme social groups that won't do anything for anyone who doesn't sit chatting on Skype to them all day every day. This is before you get into special FC websites with sign up/interview/job requirement policies and all that... -_-;

I imagine most people just want their FCs to not be a big deal - just some nice friendly chatter and the odd party without having the FC impose their will/playstyle on every aspect of the player's game.

[FyeyaHerald]

Mine is too big; I'm not sure what to do. >.<

[Gilraen]

...I intend to transfer to a server where a Free Company I DO want to join is. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the idea of joining a Free Company. I just don't want to join one for all of 1-2 weeks and be all, "Bye, and thanks for all the fish."

[Anyrection]

I am waiting for a server transfer to be with all of my friends, then we will all join one together. :3 I get tons of offers to be in one ALL THE TIME, but I decline because I'm waiting for server transfer. :/

[Taika]

If I was looking for a FC, I'd join based on if the company is something I want to be a part of, not just based on them wanting me to join. I'd want to know their rules and goals and how and when they organize events, how they share loot and things like that. I think of FCs as not just the social community and the FC boosts but also the channel for the game progression, so I'd want to make sure that the FC has event times suitable for me and that they're able to do and beat the content I want to do and beat. The FC members should also be nice people who have a similar play style and attitude towards gaming.

If I'd get a random FC invite I would definitely not join immediately. I'm a player who likes to commit to my group and I'd want to carefully consider before making that commitment. I'd most likely thank for the invite and ask for a link to their website so I could get to know the company a bit better before making the decision. That said, if the leader would be just giving out invites without first explaining any rules I had to agreed to and without telling anything about what their goals are as a FC, it's not likely to be the right community for me in the first place.

[AryaUnderfoot]

My previous experiences showed that being recruited into guilds by whisper "Hey, would you like to join my guild?" or even worse by ninja invite, always ends up vastly unsatisfactory. I get invited, say "Hello!" and... nothing.. no welcome message.. not even banter between members... Later on I started looking guilds up myself to find one that suits my interests and seems organized well. In this game I lead my own FC to ensure it's a good place to be.

[Sargon]

I dislike random invites.
I didn't apply anywhere.
I'm not rushing to end game, I'm retired from HCG.

Therefore I do not need a FC, I'll just join one when I meet some players I like. It will probably improve my game experience, but until then I just enjoy the game alone and with random people.

Also I don't want to get stuck in a FC that doesn't match my playstyle and find it mean to leave.