The Guild Leader's Handbook: Strategies and Guidance from a Battle-Scarred MMO Veteran [Paperback]

Scott F. Andrews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1593272588 | ISBN-13: 978-1593272586 | Edition: 1

Who said dragon slaying was easy? Leading a guild in massively multiplayer online (MMO) games like World of Warcraft is more difficult than most players think. Your members look to you to solve problems, plan raids and battles, and lead them to riches and renown.

In The Guild Leader's Handbook, you'll learn how to create, build, and maintain a successful guild. Author Scott F. Andrews, a longtime guild leader and guild advice columnist for WoW.com, will show you how to guide your guild to glory. Whether you're trying to confront a monstrous threat, conquer your rivals, or simply reign supreme as the wealthiest traders in the galaxy, The Guild Leader's Handbook offers invaluable guidance to help you achieve your goals.

You'll learn how to:

• Plan successful raids, player vs. player battles, roleplaying sessions, and contests
• Deal with problem players and keep a lid on guild-fracturing drama
• Solve loot issues and choose the best loot system for your guild
• Boost your guild's morale, reputation, and server presence
• Promote and motivate an effective officer corps
• Organize fun and safe real-world guild meetings and events

Whether you're an established guild leader in need of sage advice or a dedicated player seeking to form your own community, The Guild Leader's Handbook is an essential guide to managing a guild successfully in any MMO game.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

For the past three years, Scott F. Andrews has been helping other guild leaders and officers with his weekly advice column "Officers' Quarters" for WoW.com. A veteran of the MMO genre, he leads one of the oldest surviving guilds in World of Warcraft.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: No Starch Press; 1 edition (May 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593272588
• ISBN-13: 978-1593272586
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.6 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #926,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since 2007, Scott F. Andrews has been helping other guild leaders and officers with his weekly advice column "Officers' Quarters" for WoW.com. A veteran of the MMO genre, he leads one of the oldest surviving guilds in World of Warcraft.

Andrews grew up near Philadelphia, spending weekends fishing and swimming at the Jersey shore and in the Poconos. He attended Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa., where he studied journalism and German. He received an M.A. in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College, Boston, in 2000. From 2000 to 2010, he worked as a copy editor for the Prentice Hall imprint of Pearson. He currently lives in Boston -- but still roots for the Philly sports teams.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE definitive guide to creating a great guild! July 26, 2010

By Candy Beauchamp TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

When people talk of creating a Guild in and MMO they often talk about the types. So people talk about hardcore versus casual. Other people talk about PvP or PvE. This guide is for anyone that thinks that the two major categories of guilds are 1.) Those that get things done and 2.) Those that don't. If you follow this guide you'll be well on your way to creating a guild that not only gets things done, but has a lot of fun doing it!

This book treats guild creation and maintenance very seriously. In a lot of ways, it mimics several books that I've read on starting your own business. Well, in many ways, you are. You'll have a Guild Leader (CEO), Guild Officers (V.P.s), Veterans (Middle Management), and then your general membership (employees). In order to get anything done (creating a product) you'll have to keep the guild productive and drama at a minimum.

This book starts out simply. It asks one question: What kind of guild do you want to make? It defines many different types of guilds. It then moves on to the best ways to get people into your guild (and also lays out several ways NOT to get people into your guild).From there the topics range from guild events, alliances with other guilds, how to deal with drama in your guild, and even taking the guild out of the game and into the real world for face-to-face encounters.

There are only two things that I think detract from the book:

1.) It takes itself too seriously.
2.) It's all text.

A little humor included in the reading or a cartoon here and there giving a humorous glimpse into the subject matter would have been welcome.

These too shortcomings aside, I think this is a great read. It should be considered required reading for anyone considering starting a guild (and for many of the Guild Leaders already out there!) Thank you Mr. Andrews for a great read and wonderful incite into the world of Guild Management.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great down-to-earth guide to managing people in the online world June 16, 2010

By T. Zimmermann

Format:Paperback

As a former ranking clan leader and someone who managed several competivie First Person Shooter teams, I have to say I VERY MUCH wish I read this book years ago. So many of the issues relating to guild leadership/raiding also apply just as clearly to a competitive team based gaming environment. Whether you manage a guild, run a clan, or manage any competitive team in the virtual world, this book can help you find success with a minimum of headaches.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining, thoughtful, informed read on a drama-filled subject... June 13, 2010

By tysconlog

Format:Paperback

Guild-leading is not easy. I have seen the worst leaders, and I have seen the best. Scott understands what works and what does not and he knows from experience. This book gives people a heads up on what to look for if they want to lead a guild, or are currently leading a guild. It also helps people who want to be a part of a guild see their place in the big picture, and how they can work to fill areas that need filling. I recommend this book not only to guild leaders, but people who want to help lead a guild or even just know what it takes to be a part of a guild and keep one going strong. Great book!