My experience in MMO's started with Everquest for 2 years, then moved on to Lineage 2 for about 6 months, then got tired of the grind and surprisingly migrated to FFXI where I stayed for a few years, though it was just another grind yet enjoyable. After Everquest, I just wanted to find another game while waiting for WoW to get released. By the time WOW was released, I had about 3 or 4 jobs max leveled in FFXI. I did move to WOW at release, but for some reason, I got tired of it and moved back to FFXI and I did this back and forth cycle at least 4 times during the course of about 8-9 years. I joined End-game guilds in every game I played. Not top 10 and not top 8 guild on server. Usually, top 5. I play well and very active if the game is right. Last year, I quit old games and started playing Tera. Awesome game. I have close to top gear in both PVE and PVP, but the community is atrocious and the content is few. I've been guild hopping in Tera trying to find what's right which brings me to what I'm looking for in a linkshell explained below.
When FFXIV ARR launches, I want to start on a fresh non-legacy server so I can level up with my guild mates to get to know them. I want a startup economy and fresh competition who will race to the end-game. I have been a guild leader, a raid leader, and an advisor in many of the MMO games I've played. I know what makes a successful guild.
Traits of a successful guild:
1) A workaholic guild leader. His passion for progression exceeds and surpasses anyone else in the guild by many scales. He will assign officers, but if they are slacking, he won't just discipline them, he does what they are suppose to do to make-up for the slack. He leads by example. The guild's progression is more important to him than an individuals progression. But he doesn't overlook the fact that helping gearup a member actually BENEFITS the entire guild, especially if this player is a known ace.
2) Equally active & social members that don't tip 1 way against the other. I know some members who are more focused on just talking in chat than paying attention to the raid. They are not as passionate and as attentive as the guild leader, but they should have at least half his heart! Members don't learn this sometimes. So they should have this trait already upon joining the guild. Quality recruiting is important.
3) Acceptable and active schedule that meets most of everyone's calendar.
4) Open door policy and good communication. If someone is doing bad, tell them. If they take it badly, it's their own fault for not accepting good feedback. Don't be overly politically correct. You sugar coat words and most of the time, it's misunderstood and they won't act to change their ways.
If your guild meets those traits, I would like to request an invite. If not, an invite is not advisable. I'll probably guild hop right off. Thanks for reading :)
Edited, Jun 12th 2013 5:39pm by niquev71