"What Are We Anyway?"

Hail, comrades of the Sun!  As we strive forward to rebuild our beloved clan, we find ourselves faced with the familiar question, "What kind of guild are you guys?"

This is not an unreasonable question, for there are in fact different kinds.  There are Raiding Guilds versus Levelling Guilds; Casual ones vs Hardcore, etc. So for those of you working hard to spread the word of our membership, for which I thank you, I'd like to be clear on my vision for our guild, as far as "type" is concerned.  

We are a Gameplay Guild.  This means our focus is on Playing the Game, regardless of one's style of play.  We level, and help eachother level, but we are not just a "Levelling Guild."  Many of us Raid, and are very interested in leading guild members on 10-25 man assaults into the bastions of our many enemies, but we are not to become just another "Raiding Guild," which are known for their elitist attitudes and even overbearing mindset.  We are open to PvP and even Arena Teams, but we are not to become a "PvP/Arena Guild."  Indeed, the vision of a Gameplay Guild is to encourage individual playstyle as well as communal interest. 

We will not tell you how to play your character, what spec's to choose, what role you should play.  We will never make you change a spec into a tank or a healer just because the guild needs a tank or a healer.  We will not pressure you to choose between membership and participation in end game content, or even guild raid instance progression.  We will not haze you if you avoid battlegrounds, prefer questing over Arenas, or avoid mindlessly assaulting the towns and lowbies of the opposing faction. 

We are about personal playstyle.  Of course we could always use tanks and healers, but choosing such a role is just that, a choice.  Your choice.  We do favor obtaining better gear, but Gearscore alone is a pale measure of one's competence.  A skilled player, who knows their character and enjoys playing it, is far more competent and desireable than an inept or obtuse player, even on a better geared character.  

You play the way you want, and have fun playing.  That is the central theme behind this philosophy, and will remain so for as long as I am Hokage.  Of course many of us want to see Raid content, and this will happen as interested members band together to do just that.  There is no need to become the exclusionary douchebags that are so painfully prevailent in many of the so-called Raiding guilds.  Some of us would rather quest and farm.  This is fine too, for the contributions of such solo activities can still benefit us as a whole.  One day, we may have those interested in pitting their skills in the Arenas and Battlegrounds, and we will be proud to be represented by those who rise to such a challenge.  All manners and styles of play are encouraged. 

The Gameplay Guild is arguably a new type of guild, but it is a fact that Blizzard Entertainment itself seems to be encouraging the rise of just this type of philosophy.  In the coming expansion, Guild Progression will be determined by Gameplay, rather than simply Raid Instances completed.  All manner of progression, including personal levelling, professions, guild contributions, dungeons and achievements completed, and yes, even raid content, will count toward the overall progression of the guild.  It will be tracked, displayed, and will manifest in things like Guild Talent Points, Ranks, and even Guild Special Abilities.  The idea, again, is to promote gameplay of all kinds, not just of the "Hardcore" or "Raider" variety.  

It is as it should be.  It is how it Will be.  

So stand, shinobi of Akatsuki, and be proud to be a member of the Vanguard!  And the next time you are asked by a potential Aspirant "what kind of guild is this, anyway," you can say with confidence the plain, simple truth.

Loktar Ogar, comrades of the Red Sun!  Akatsuki!


~Ogami, Hokage of Akatsuki