GUIDE TO STARTING AN ONLINE GAMING CLAN (TEAM)

Computers or PC’s are definitely the best online gaming platform, but a good number people don’t use these gaming machines to their full potential. It could be quite thrilling to drop into a random server all by yourself, but that way really doesn’t lead to the best gaming experience. The secret to both enjoying and gaining superiority at online play is joining a contingent of like-minded individuals – in other words, a clan. Many people are repulsed by the notion of forming or joining a geek circle, but this is essentially a well-coordinated group of friends, having quality entertainment. Online reputation or notoriety may come with time, but what’s more important is that you’re playing strategically with people you know and trust, rather than being at the caprice of whatever vagabonds are lynching around a public server.

Starting a gaming clan requires the setting up of both a website and a forum. These are the key elements for both promoting the name of your clan in the online gaming neighborhood and improving your game. Manage your forum so certain matters are off limits to non-clan members and newbies whose performance you’re evaluating. The public area is good for chatting about clan activities as this will generate interest from potential recruits and rivals, but you’ll need someplace to scheme the defeat of your rivals. Make sure you’ve got a calendar there too, so everyone can see when forthcoming matches will come about.

A gamers’ clan should be run like a business. Do not impose roles to members or slag people off before the team – manage them considerately. Discuss with them their strengths and weaknesses and what classes, weapons and positions they’re best suited to. Hopefully you can agree mutually on roles, or work together to perk up someone’s abilities. Select players to look after the design and maintenance of your clan website and forum, get others to look after recruitment or managing existing players, allowing the clan leader to arrange matches and promote the clan. Here are some easily identifiable pitfalls that a lot of clans fall into:

• Too many leaders – Just have you and a Co-leader.
• Inactivity – Ensure you have regular practices and matches.
• In fighting between members – Remove members who cause problems immediately.
• Members not feeling part of the team – Share around responsibility and listen to your team or clan.
• Bad reputation in matches – Remove members who don’t listen or constantly cheat.
• Poor sportsmanship – Ensure your members do not bad mouth other teams, even if your clan or team is being abused.
• Immaturity of members – Avoid younger players who tend to not work as a team.
• Lazy Co –leader – install another member if you feel you are not being supported.
• No Practices – All clans or teams need practice. Practice can be as simple as making time to just play friendlies a few times a week.

Primarily, the need for practice and getting organized should be well decided. A fuzzy YM conversation about possibly working out something next week really doesn’t score. You need a strict routine, getting together to play specific maps on repeat at set times every week. If someone in your clan customarily doesn’t turn up for practice, you’ll have to consider replacing them with someone more committed. The key to success is playing together as a team, not just being good with the sniper rifle.

Your clan should get away with turning up on a public server and trying to play on the same team. Auto balance will make getting all your pals on the same side a headache, though, and you’ll be at the mercy of the server settings. Soon, you’ll need to rent a private clan server from somewhere.