Guild Wars 2

I was wondering if the forum specialist program has gotten started yet? I haven’t seen anyone, so I was curious as to whether or not it started or no one applied :P

Any word?

Those that applied haven’t gotten word yet.

I hope the scrapped the idea.

I’d like them in the profession section. So it at least it feels like my profession is getting attention.

JustTrogdor.7892:

I hope they scrapped the idea.

I second that.

:/ All it will do is put a “White Knight” marker on someone… Just go to SC/WoW/D3 forums and see how the MVP’s are treated…

Especially if there’s one for professions, they will get the “you’re just defending your profession” comments when they try and argue across something.

Must be really hard to become one if you aren’t allowed to be infracted, since you pretty much become infracted for everything.

I hope they did away with the idea as well. It serves no logical purpose other than to empower white knights.

I believe Dark Age of Camelot had a similar program. Team Leads (TLs) I think they were called. In theory, it could work so long as the persons stayed neutral. But, I’ll freely admit, after reading some of these comments, I fear it would turn into kitten versus Them situation.

As if the forums needed even more of that.

Still, a lot of these so-called ‘white knights’ do present their point-of-view in a more mature and professional manner than their name-callers.

Here is the program for those interested: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/info/news/Guild-Wars-2-Forum-Specialists-Program/first

Ardenwolfe.8590:

I believe Dark Age of Camelot had a similar program. Team Leads (TLs) I think they were called. In theory, it could work so long as the persons stayed neutral. But, I’ll freely admit, after reading some of these comments, I fear it would turn into kitten versus Them situation.

As if the forums needed even more of that.

Still, a lot of these so-called ‘white knights’ do present their point-of-view in a more mature and professional manner than their name-callers.

Here is the program for those interested: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/info/news/Guild-Wars-2-Forum-Specialists-Program/first

They pretty much do, but the annoying part is that they see no wrong at all. Nothing seems to be bad at all in their eyes. ArenaNet could sell even better equipment than ascended in gem store and only from there and they would see nothing bad with it, because “You can still farm gold to convert to gems so it’s fine” is something they would say.

Might be exaggerating, but I swear it’s almost close to that.

The ironic part is I’ve read the opposite from others. Nothing is ever right, and their continuous complaining about the same topics can be just as tiresome. Nevertheless, I do see your point.

But I think the program can have merit given I’ve seen it used successfully elsewhere. Though, to be perfectly fair, I’ve also seen it horribly abused as well.

I’d like to see it in practice first before I decide whether it would work here.

Man idk if i should apply or not X.X i’ve always wanted to keep this game as a just for fun thing so idk if having that little bit of extra responsibility is ok or it might be too much. Lol I’m always on the forums anyways so idk……. man ill flip a coin lol let lady luck decide for me

Zoso.8279:

Man idk if i should apply or not X.X i’ve always wanted to keep this game as a just for fun thing so idk if having that little bit of extra responsibility is ok or it might be too much. Lol I’m always on the forums anyways so idk……. man ill flip a coin lol let lady luck decide for me

Don’t do it…yet.

Let those that really want to do it take the first round, and let them be the ones that get hit with any problems. Then, when it’s more developed and the bumps are smoothed out, reconsider.

I somehow got a very bad feeling about this specialist program…

Farzo.8410:

Must be really hard to become one if you aren’t allowed to be infracted, since you pretty much become infracted for everything.

I wear my infractions with pride. Not sure I would want anyone as a glorfied “hall monitor” who didn’t have enough spine to get infracted at least once.

DaShi.1368:

I’d like them in the profession section. So it at least it feels like my profession is getting attention.

“Getting attention” is a very relative thing. DAoC had something like this. But all that amounted to was that once a month each class representative would compile a handful of questions the devs then answered 3-4 weeks later.

Now you might be thinking “Wow! That sounds awesome!”, but you’re overthinking what “answer” meant.
Usually questions got single-line replies like “That ability is where we want it to be”, “No changes planned right now but nothing is off the table” and my favorite one (after class reps of enemy classes started to ask when Mentalists are getting a buff :P ), “Players have not yet learned to play the class to its full potential, no changes planned”.
(Mentalists were buffed, 6 years later)

Forum moderation in return for free stuff. I’m sure this will all totally work out and there won’t be any problems.

. . . yeah, there’s a reason I thought about it for all of ten seconds before going nope!

This topic pretty much summarizes exactly why. Won’t matter if anyone who is picked wants to be fair, or nice . . . “White knight!” is all people see.

Honestly, the idea might have been something worth looking at . . . but someone higher up should have strangled the idea into a coma and thrown it into the same box as Cantha.

Palador.2170:

Zoso.8279:

Man idk if i should apply or not X.X i’ve always wanted to keep this game as a just for fun thing so idk if having that little bit of extra responsibility is ok or it might be too much. Lol I’m always on the forums anyways so idk……. man ill flip a coin lol let lady luck decide for me

Don’t do it…yet.

Let those that really want to do it take the first round, and let them be the ones that get hit with any problems. Then, when it’s more developed and the bumps are smoothed out, reconsider.

Yeah you might be right. Ill keep my eyes open and keep note on how it works but will let someone who is a bit more determined to take lead. But idk could work or could fail its all in the air till it actually happens. Hoping for the best.

Vix.6730:

I hope they did away with the idea as well. It serves no logical purpose other than to empower abusive “white knight”-yelling trolls.

Fixed it for you.

Well I’m sure everyone will be very happy I don’t qualify since I’m in Australia. lol

Vayne.8563:

Well I’m sure everyone will be very happy I don’t qualify since I’m in Australia. lol

LMAO Vayne personally I wouldn’t mind I tend to agree with most thing you say but I’m sure a portion of the forum goers just sighed in relief

Vayne.8563:

Well I’m sure everyone will be very happy I don’t qualify since I’m in Australia. lol

Don’t worry. Somehow people will still claim one of them is an alt account or something. Just like I am apparently you as well as someone else, according to the fine people of Gendarran Fields

Tobias Trueflight.8350:

Vayne.8563:

Well I’m sure everyone will be very happy I don’t qualify since I’m in Australia. lol

Don’t worry. Somehow people will still claim one of them is an alt account or something. Just like I am apparently you as well as someone else, according to the fine people of Gendarran Fields

You can’t be me. You’re too sane. lol

Its sad how people straight out condome this idea, labeling forum specialists who they dont even know yet who they will be with generalizations.

Wanze.8410:

Its sad how people straight out condome this idea, labeling forum specialists who they dont even know yet who they will be with generalizations.

Sad but not unexpected, for me. They could name the three biggest dissenting voices on the forums and people would still not trust what they had to say anymore. When the mind is used to looking for ulterior motives, or is primed to disbelieve any official talk . . . it stops mattering who says it, or even what is said.

It’ll be like the last two rounds of the CDI – overrun with people claiming there’s no value, or it won’t change anything, or it’s just a ploy to shut every dissenting voice up.

In short? It doesn’t matter what ANet thinks is going to happen. It’s just going to become another powder keg waiting to go off. Because that’s what a large section of the community wants to happen, even if only subconsciously.

I’m sure we will actually get nice and good people for this.

I would just cringe to see actual white knights becoming one. I want people who question everything and speaks their honest opinion instead of hiding behind the “Everything is and will always be fine with this game.”

Guild Wars 2 is a good game, no doubt about it. But recently (in my opinion) it’s facing a lot of problems.

Black Frog.9274:

Forum moderation in return for free stuff. I’m sure this will all totally work out and there won’t be any problems.

Clearly, you have no idea what the program entails.

1. Forum moderation is the moderator’s job, not the forum specialists. Forum specialists distill feedback and pass it on to the devs.

2. Forum specialists don’t actually get anything out of the deal. No compensation.

must live in the USA and be age 18 or older, for legal reasons

Now that’s sad having in mind that there are a lot of GW2 players from both Asia and EU. It would only feel right if those parts got representatives too as problems that touch one region do not always touch the other regions too. One of the examples would be the chest farm. It seems alive and well in EU, while NA it doesn’t happen so often.

Mirta.5029:

must live in the USA and be age 18 or older, for legal reasons

Now that’s sad having in mind that there are a lot of GW2 players from both Asia and EU. It would only feel right if those parts got representatives too as problems that touch one region do not always touch the other regions too. One of the examples would be the chest farm. It seems alive and well in EU, while NA it doesn’t happen so often.

Bolded the relevant portion.

My guess is that ANet is testing out the program with the group that has the fewest legal issues to deal with to see how it works out before committing the time to figure out international law for other reps.

Drarnor Kunoram.5180:

Bolded the relevant portion.

My guess is that ANet is testing out the program with the group that has the fewest legal issues to deal with to see how it works out before committing the time to figure out international law for other reps.

I did read that part. I’m still allowed to think that it’s such a shame that EU and Asia are not getting their own forum specialists

Vayne.8563:

Tobias Trueflight.8350:

Vayne.8563:

Well I’m sure everyone will be very happy I don’t qualify since I’m in Australia. lol

Don’t worry. Somehow people will still claim one of them is an alt account or something. Just like I am apparently you as well as someone else, according to the fine people of Gendarran Fields

You can’t be me. You’re too sane. lol

OMG He’s talking to himself!!!

(Sorry couldn’t resist)

Vayne.8563:

Well I’m sure everyone will be very happy I don’t qualify since I’m in Australia. lol

Well, it wouldn’t have changed much anyway. You’re already in every thread :p

Farzo.8410:

I’m sure we will actually get nice and good people for this.

I would just cringe to see actual white knights becoming one. I want people who question everything and speaks their honest opinion instead of hiding behind the “Everything is and will always be fine with this game.”

Guild Wars 2 is a good game, no doubt about it. But recently (in my opinion) it’s facing a lot of problems.

that type of person has infractions and wont qualify

Gaile Gray.6029:

Any other questions?

Will the FS operate and post with their existing game (and forum accounts) or will they get new ones?

Wanze.8410:

Gaile Gray.6029:

Any other questions?

Will the FS operate and post with their existing game (and forum accounts) or will they get new ones?

This is a very good question.

Farzo.8410:

Ardenwolfe.8590:

I believe Dark Age of Camelot had a similar program. Team Leads (TLs) I think they were called. In theory, it could work so long as the persons stayed neutral. But, I’ll freely admit, after reading some of these comments, I fear it would turn into kitten versus Them situation.

As if the forums needed even more of that.

Still, a lot of these so-called ‘white knights’ do present their point-of-view in a more mature and professional manner than their name-callers.

Here is the program for those interested: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/info/news/Guild-Wars-2-Forum-Specialists-Program/first

They pretty much do, but the annoying part is that they see no wrong at all. Nothing seems to be bad at all in their eyes. ArenaNet could sell even better equipment than ascended in gem store and only from there and they would see nothing bad with it, because “You can still farm gold to convert to gems so it’s fine” is something they would say.

Might be exaggerating, but I swear it’s almost close to that.

I don’t think this is nearly as common as some people on the forum seem to think. Most of the time I’ve seen someone labelled a ‘white knight’ it’s been based on their posts in just one topic, or even on just one post. It’s very rare to find someone who defends literally everything Anet does.

Admittedly I didn’t really notice that until it happened to me. I said I liked some part of the NPE (probably the compass arrow) in one topic and my opinion was instantly dismissed on the basis that I was obviously a ‘white knight’ who would defend anything, even though while someone was accusing me of that I was in another topic complaining about the changes I didn’t like.

I’m not sure which side to tip on this. I suppose that if I were a Specialist I would want to keep the Donari name separate from it, mostly to avoid tell-hell in game. It seems likely that some people will want to “lobby” the FS to make sure their own concerns are definitely getting passed on. Heck, there could even be stalking, though I’d guess stalkers would already have latched onto the forum personalities that bother/bewitch them.

On the other hand, the Specialists are supposed to be community contributors with a reputation for veracity, and hiding their name would cause a lot of suspicion and distrust that this “unknown” is really doing the job.

Ha. I think that I lean towards a fresh account if I’m a Specialist, and a known one if I’m not. (No, I don’t want to be a Specialist. I suck at deadlines).

I think it would be very helpful to have something, not necessarily a separate account, to distinguish when they are acting as a forum specialist and when they are simply posting as a normal forum member.

Even if it’s as simple as making a rule that they put a banner or something at the top of forum specialist posts, for example:

That way it’s clear to everyone how their posts should be taken – tagged ones are them acting in their official role, untagged ones are simply a normal post.

Otherwise I think there may be a tendency to take everything they say as official word from Anet, or at least as an indication of what your position is likely to be, and that would be frustrating both for specialist who want to keep posting their own opinions, ideas and speculation and for everyone else who has to interact with them.

As someone who did actually apply for the position, I would rather continue to post on my regular account. I’ve had multiple members of the Necro community voice their support, and it would feel really strange if the new Necro Forum Specialist (for example) were some name that people don’t know. People would know that it was someone with a history on these forums, but there would still be confusion and such.

Plus, I have enough passwords and account names for various programs/forums/etc. I don’t need to add yet another.

Gaile Gray.6029:

Wanze.8410:

Gaile Gray.6029:

Any other questions?

Will the FS operate and post with their existing game (and forum accounts) or will they get new ones?

We have not made a final decision on this. What’s your opinion? Is there a reason it should be one or the other?

I see pluses and minuses to either choice. I can’t help but wonder how the forum membership as a whole will have faith in a specialist who uses an anonymous account. If they are chosen for their history, should their history be hidden? On the other hand, I’d like to hear your concerns or comments in relation to how a specialist might prefer not to post on his/her game account. Since specialists won’t be doing controversial actions, such as moderating posts or suspending accounts, I am not sure what benefit is derived by hiding their name, but I’d like to hear others’ thoughts.

I should mention that no one at ArenaNet has a “sock puppet” account that allows him or her to post anonymously aside from the Customer Support agents who post using their “handles.” When we set up forum accounts for employees we use a team member’s real name. But be assured we wouldn’t ask a specialist to reveal his/her real name.

A separate forum account would negate any prejudices some people might have against that FS from past interactions/discussions. But then it seems it matters little considering their main purpose is to relate feedback and point other people to the right topics.

But i wonder, how it influences their perception when posting in discussions about things that are not in their area of expertise.
For example, a FS for dungeons who posts in the wvw forums and expresses his personal opinion on a matter (and not as a FS) like ongoing hackers?

And what happens, if a FS posts in the dedicated topic for items in the gem store that he would like to see mounts available for gems in the future?

It seems FS are first and foremost (dedicated) players and forum users and in that position have strong opinions about certain matters as well. So how does it look, if a FS criticizes something, even though in a constructive way?
Those will be frequently linked posts and if I would be a FS, I am not sure, if I want to get into a position like that.

Also, how do people react to you, once you arent a FS anymore but a regular forum user again?

I would propably let FS choose, if they would like to continue posting with their playing account and a special tag with it or get a 2nd account on the forums with a new name.

2nd game accounts propably arent neccessary, unless maybe for FS for the NPE because even though they can experience the NPE with an alt, its something different to level a new character while you already certain stuff available, like gold, skillpoints, karma, laurels or other account upgrades that make leveling easier and a different experience than on a completely new account.

Is there really any reason to make public who the forum specialist are since they mostly are there to report back to ANet? I don’t see why someone needs a tag for that. Having a tag opens up possibilities of them being constantly harassed about being white knights and ANet toadies. Imo, it would be better not to have people publicly labeled as being “semi official” when they have no official function other than collate information and report or linking official posts (which anyone can do).

Gaile Gray.6029:

We have not made a final decision on this. What’s your opinion? Is there a reason it should be one or the other?

I see pluses and minuses to either choice. I can’t help but wonder how the forum membership as a whole will have faith in a specialist who uses an anonymous account.

That statement, and the one the link goes to (also by you), do tend to conflict just a bit.

That said, if you go ahead with forum specialists, I think they should post on their current accounts. If you make it two separate accounts, it’s only a matter of time before someone forgets which they’re logged in as and post under the wrong one for the situation. Let’s just avoid the whole “pulling off the mask” moment, and keep this as open as possible.

And if it works well, maybe you’ll change your mind about naming the moderators.

Gaile Gray.6029:

Astral Projections.7320:

Is there really any reason to make public who the forum specialist are since they mostly are there to report back to ANet? I don’t see why someone needs a tag for that. Having a tag opens up possibilities of them being constantly harassed about being white knights and ANet toadies. Imo, it would be better not to have people publicly labeled as being “semi official” when they have no official function other than collate information and report or linking official posts (which anyone can do).

That is a really thought-provoking comment!

What do others feel about this? I’m very interested in feedback on the subject of making specialists public or not.

I agree. A special tag will only invite hostility. If the forum specialists are doing what you want them to do, reply to posts in a helpful nature and give reports to Anet, there is no reason for them to have a special tag. Let them do what they volunteered to do, but putting a label on them will only make them a target.

Gaile Gray.6029:

Astral Projections.7320:

Is there really any reason to make public who the forum specialist are since they mostly are there to report back to ANet? I don’t see why someone needs a tag for that. Having a tag opens up possibilities of them being constantly harassed about being white knights and ANet toadies. Imo, it would be better not to have people publicly labeled as being “semi official” when they have no official function other than collate information and report or linking official posts (which anyone can do).

That is a really thought-provoking comment!

What do others feel about this? I’m very interested in feedback on the subject of making specialists public or not.

I agree with Astral Projections on this.

I mean, sure, having some sort of tag by your name or something similar always looks nice, and it will be easier for other forum posters to see that these posters are serious in what they are doing and their opinions/ideas can be worth reading, and that they are helpful.

But, it can (and sadly, probably will if so) lead to some sort of harassment. People will be called the usual stuff like white knights, ArenaNet pets and whatnot.

A tag by the name is cool and all, but, really, it’s the content and the structure of the post that counts, and there will be many great posters, without a FS tag, that could get burrowed because of that.

In my opinion, every post in a thread should be read (to some degree at least, it’s obviously too time consuming if there is a thread going with over 30 pages) and I can look at myself in the past jumping into threads, only reading the “FS” posts and disregarding everything else, as well as seeing these posters getting harassed.

So, yeah, having a tag on your existing account is something I would recommend not to have. Having a second account sounds troublesome too, having to change and whatnot.

Personally, I believe the best way to have a forum specialist is to have a forum member use his existing account. My reasons for this are:

• Transparency increases the credibility and reliability of these specialists. I believe forum specialists need to have a solid history on this forum to become a specialist. I understand this means extra work for the Community Team to select the right persons, but it will pay off in the end.
• The forum specialists need to carry a broad support among the participants on this forum. A strong support for a forum specialist strengthens the message they convey.
• Forum specialists need to be able to provide sharp constructive criticism that is on point without having a personal/corporate agenda.