What makes a good community member?

[Katella_Avenlea]

@Abriael - I agree, Willingness to help each other is pretty vital!

@Sanadaiyeve - Also a good point, I find that some of the most enjoyable experiences I've had have been not when my party has won on the first try, but rather when we've had a team willing to put aside what they "know" and work together to learn from mistakes and find a strategy that works for that specific party. Not all parties are the same and I'm always kind of delighted when I get to try a different strategy than the "norm" and it works. Its nice play with a group who is balanced in their expectations and realize you are here to enjoy the journey. There is joy to be found on the bumps along the way, and it makes success that much more memorable and sweet!

@Zenaku Yes! being willing to take a few seconds of your time to help someone else is a big boost to someone who is struggling.

@Nix - Agreed! No candle is diminished by lighting another.. its that mentality that makes interactions much more pleasurable! In life or in game, the results are the same, you get what you put out there. The ability to diffuse situations before they become a bigger problem is a real handy skill to have.

@Forgo - Totally agree!

@Alaltus - Yep! Pay it forward! You never know when that random level 3 you through a cure on yesterday may be the level 50 that bails you out of a bind next week.

@Yrusama ahahaha! a Kindred Spirit! lol.. I thought I was the only one that actually really liked "United We Stand". I loved the challenge it presented (though admittedly I didn't love the trip getting to the fight) but once there I really liked the challenge. If I had the time available to do so, I'd try and help people with it whenever I could. It was another one of those instances where each party you went with was totally different. That fight really taught me that two parties could have the same configuration and the outcome could be totally different even if they used the same strategy. Still if they were willing to be flexible and play off each other's strengths, and try different ideas, rather than dwell on weaknesses, they could generally find victory.

When I originally did the quest myself, we won with a Paladin, Monk, Dragoon, 2 bards, 2 blm and a whitemage.. definitely not the "standard" configuration but it was the jobs we had available. It was so sweet when we finally won! Would not have done it if people weren't willing and patient enough to try something outside of the "accepted standard".

@LittlePet I love the auto-translate function! I love being able to play with others around the world!

@DubstepNinja Definitely encouraging people to be responsible for dealing with any issues directly via a private communication is helpful to reduce linkshell drama. "Items are never worth more than the people you play with." <- This.. exactly!

@Kallera Respecting that we are all there to enjoy our time and enjoy each other's company is definitely helpful!

@Leira_Raine Yes very important! Being able to respectfully disagree, or even put aside things for the good of the whole is definitely helpful.

@Nuinn yep, I'm sure being a decent human being I'm sure definitely helps.. lol ^^ I would agree that there is a definite nod to how FF games in general tend to celebrate collaborative teamwork in a respectful manner across the board. Generally encouraging diversity not only in the in game classes/jobs available, but also the fact that the game itself is offered different cultures around the globe .

@Zetsumei_Tsunarashi Being sincerely interested in the community is always a plus! ^^ (thanks for the reminder)

[Katella_Avenlea]

First installment of the series was published today for those interested: http://katella.wordpress.com/2013/05...our-community/

[SkyeWindbinder]

Hey, Katella! Good to see you!

/Distant World salute

Well, if I were to pick a reason our community stands above so many others, it might be the passion we all have for the game we're playing. I mean, everyone who is invested in this game enough to be here really love this game. We deeply care about the world of Eorzea and just about everything that goes on in it, and it shows in the words we post here on the forums, the frequency in which we post them, the way we follow any news of the game and react to it.

I mean, well, let me use two prime examples to compare our community to: WoW and SWTOR. Last I checked, the wow community is a terrible place to be. It's inhabited by trolls, elitists, and a whole lot of whiners. Most of the most serious players of the game are gold farmers, for crying out loud! Everyone there seems more interested in arenas and killing big bosses for loot than they do in actually being in a group, making friends, and exploring the vast world they're in and unraveling the mysteries of it's lore. Same with swtor, though there really isn't much to do after leveling up to max besides pvp matches and the like. The community there is frustrated and could bite the head off a nail. lol Believe me, I know. There's not much of a world for them to become invested in. Kind of sad, for all the potential it had.

Part of what ensures people want to build a close community in your game is making a world in your game that people actually, truly love. I mean, think about it. When people on these threads talk about FFXIV, they're not talking about grouping, power leveling, and getting the awesome lewts. We're talking abut the story. We're talking about whether or not we truly believe Lousioux is dead. We're talking about our war with Garlemald. We're talking about how beautiful the cities are. We're talking about how awesome bahamut is. We're talking about how cool Hildibrand is. For us, it's all about the lore and setting of our world. Things like phat lewts barely come up, and when it does, it's usually us looking at how nicely designed they are.

That's one of the things that set us apart form other communities; our passion for the world of Eorzea, rather than just the mechanics of it. And it's what makes us so much happier than other mmo communities. And happy communities are the best kind of communities to be a part of. So, if I were to give advice on how to keep Eorzea a happy place and to keep yourself a great part of our huge group of upstanding community members, one thing I would say is to not lose your passion for the game. Do that, and everything else will fall in line. Just my humble $0.02.

[Solace]

Some things off the top of my head:


Even after only this short time of being away from FFXIV.
I have already forgotten most of my gear..
It's not anything I have ever gotten that I remember.
It's the people I was with when we got it..

Remember the people you meet are not pixles, they are actual people.
Treat them as such.. In a good way..
I shouldn't have to clarify that, but I do...

If people crap on you, don't reward them by joining their linkshells in droves.
Leave them to be miserable by themselves.
There are better people to be met.

Be mature and don't freak out..
Even if the other guy/girl is..
Maintaining your cool and not acting like an infant about it, shows tons of character.

Don't be needy but don't be a doormat.
Be willing to speak up and get what you need done.
Help people but do not be a slave.
But don't cry about not getting anything done, if you have not put in some effort, to show people you will hang around and you are part of the team.
If you hop into an LS, you should immediately cultivate friendships and start showing support or you will not get any.
You will get like you give in this game.

Show up on time to events.
Some people think it's cute or funny to show up late.
I find it pretty rude and selfish.
There are not 20 people standing around, waiting for their health.
We all have lives too.

Respect your team, they should be friends to you, not just pixles..
But do not be afraid to say it like it is.
Especially if you are their leader.
If someone is holding the team back by consistently performing badly,
being untimely, bad tempered, or any of a ton of reasons.
You need to handle it and potentially remove them from the team.
It's up to you and sometimes you have to make hard choices.

I recall conversations I had every time someone would want to join my team on primals.
Me: "when you die on Ifrit is it because of the lag, or is it your fault for not compensating".
If they ever said: "It's the lags fault, there is NOTHING I can do about it."
I removed them from my team.
Not maliciously or in a mean way.
It just is how it is and it's not fair to let your entire team, be held back by one person with excuses.

Best rule though..
Show some love..
Show some love and you'll get lots of love in return.
Breed misery and discontent and you will receive the same.

Also carry lots of string, catnip and don't kick Tarus..
Contrary to popular belief, they do not like it.. XD

[Kavaskous]

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?

LMAO - Screaming Midgets? CKoA forever!

[Twiddle]

Ability to take a jab/joke. Knowing when it's sarcasm, when it's serious. Knowing when to give your opinion even if it's going the opposite way of the flow. And knowing when to not say a word. Same thing(s) that would make a person a good person, applies to the community. Problem is anonymous + audience = asshat's.... don't be tempted.

[Katella_Avenlea]

Added quick links to OP

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