What makes a good community member?

[Katella_Avenlea]

A little hard to explain, but I'm on the cusp of an idea for a new series for my blog, and I'm wondering if you can help me out.

FFXI & FFXIV has been known to have one of the more pleasurable gaming communities to be around... so it makes me wonder, what is it about our community that sets us apart from some of the other gaming communities out there? What kind of things do people value about the people they play with?

NOTE: part of being a good community member is being a positive influence, so I'm not looking for any negatives about whats wrong with other games or their communities, so no flaming other games or their communities allowed here. I'm NOT looking for the negatives of why some have more issues than others, I AM looking for the things that are positive that makes OUR community stand out, and ways we can continue to encourage that atmosphere in our future.

As we will be enjoying an influx of new players from other games coming closer to launch, I'm looking to point out the things that make our FFXIV community enjoyable, what kind of characteristics players posess that make them good company. ^^ What things we ourselves should consider when we play with others, all things that help continue to build a pleasant gaming experience overall.

Edit: lol.. it was kindly pointed out to me that I totally forgot to add my blog link here.. ^^ For those curious, it is http://katella.wordpress.com

Installments of this series:
* Eye on Eorzea: Building our Community with Respect
* Eye on Eorzea: Building our Community with Kindness
* Eye of Eorzea: Building our Community with Balance

[Abriael]

Willingness to help others (especially strangers) without asking anything in exchange.

It's something I saw a lot more in FFXI to be honest, especially at the beginning when people needed a lot of help to perform certain tasks like the advanced job quests and such, but I've seen a portion of that carrying over to FFXIV as well, at least more than in other games.

[Sanadaiyeve]

I value our laughter and the challenge of content with others of differing personalities. I'm oft intimidated from parties where failure is seen negativly. There were many players who waved it off knowing a game and its world is to be enjoyed. To raise conflict would well deteriorate the experience for many unless they revel in misery.

Perhaps a community responsible and owing up to its faults is more able to employ benevolence. Projecting, in my case, is a ploy to buy time that I might longer deny my shortcomings.

[Alaltus]

You have to be willing to give in what you get out. If you help other people when you can, other people will be more willing to help you when you need help. But you shouldn't let others take gross advantage of you either. A balance of give and take.

[Zenaku]

Willingness to help others (especially strangers) without asking anything in exchange.

It's something I saw a lot more in FFXI to be honest, especially at the beginning when people needed a lot of help to perform certain tasks like the advanced job quests and such, but I've seen a portion of that carrying over to FFXIV as well, at least more than in other games.

I agree i remember people getting off there choco just to raise me then walk the rest of the way to town. I remember when i could /sh for help and get 3-10+ /tell in a short time. But sadly that start to die down later when whitegate was release.

I know myself i try and help players as i can and i hope our community just get better.

[Nix]

Willingness to help others (especially strangers) without asking anything in exchange.

You are so right, Abriael my friend!

For me, a good community member is someone who is friendly to all, helps when they can without asking or receiving anything in return; keeps a positive outlook on things and tries to diffuse rough situations when other players might get mean or snarky. Someone who leads by example (ie. if you don't want to see asshats in game, don't be one etc), must be willing to guide and advise others so that they may become better players (and I don't mean "Do this or you're a n00b!" elitism XD haha)

I can't really think of anything else.... @_@ lol.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

[Yrusama]

The fact that so much of the content is group-oriented is a huge factor. Sure, 1.0 and XI both let you solo a while at first, but there are a lot of things that you simply can't do alone. No matter how casual a game is, as long as there is content that requires group play, we'll see a fairly friendly community.

A lot of us also would join in on content simply because it's fun and we want to see how we'll do the second or third time around. I, for one, LOVED United We Stand as it was complicated enough to be challenging but didn't require ridiculous reflexes or timing. Throw in some epic area and battle music and the joy of helping another progress, and I found that particular mission well worth doing, even for complete strangers!

[Forgo]

Willingness to help others (especially strangers) without asking anything in exchange.

I can't agree with this more... We the older players when we meet newer people need to help them get as much out of the game as we can, anyway we can even if its with a raise or help with a quest or just a random heal thrown someones way when they need it the most. We can't make it a fun game if we don't help those in need.

[LittlePet]

I think there's also a more tolerant community in regards to backgrounds, races and ethnicities because of the auto translate dictionary. We're able to communicate and build an inclusive environment rather than ignoring others because of a language barrier.

...That is, if people are willing to put in the time to use the function.

[DubstepNinja]

Well some things I have noticed about the people I play with.
Have fun, be humble, don't worry if you fail at first, help whenever you can, everybody is a friend until proved otherwise.

No drama in /linkshell this can be conducted in private, if you have a disagreement go to your LS leaders/officers.

Items are never worth more than the people you play with.



did I mention just try to have fun?