Ready to make the team for the project that may be the next World of Warcraft. Maybe you still need to know your RPG from your RTS.
Perhaps you just want to make something that satisfies you and your hard work.
Either way, you need something to help you along the way, and this guide will do it!
Intro - Bridge. Previous Article
So, do you like World of Warcraft? Perhaps you've heard of it. It's nothing much, just one of the most famous Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games known, with a subscriber base of more than thirteen million.
Maybe you're just one of those people with the spare time, knowledge, and dedication to build something as large and immense as a Massively Multiplayer Game. Of course, you need to know "What" is an MMO is, and what you'll need to do, or invest, to get it going. Before you continue, you may want to make sure you have read part one to this series.
Also, it's never too soon to read up on the competition's systems, such as Economics
Now that we've read part one, we can prepare for part two! Building a team.
Teamwork is important to a project, and just like the ones at the office, the one to build an MMO requires balanced team members, who are just as dedicated to success as you are. Being a fifth wheel will not make an MMO, remember this when building your team.
Now, before you start running around for people, you need to know WHAT to look for!
The Fundamentals to a Team
A team can't be your favorite buddies from the local bar, nor can it be some random people you just picked out of a hat on the internet. It needs to a balanced team that is Skilled, Reliable, and Trustworthy.
Skilled, your team cannot be of people who are unskilled and unknowledged in the field of MMO making, they need to have abilities useful to the team, but they meanwhile cannot be all of the same skill, and so skilled they will not cooperate or work out.
Reliable, you can have the most intelligent and skillful person ever, who will follow you to the ends of the earth. But if they can't give you what you need on time, they are a fifth wheel. A Team needs to have members who are willing to make that extra mile happen, and meet at the least, all of their necessary deadlines and requirements that are in fair amount. Do not however confuse this with someone trying their best, but is either having outside issues or influences, or you are in reality just giving them too much they can handle. Laziness best defines a no-no here.
Trustworthy, You need to both trust, and connect with your team. Having strangers gives them more potential to be less efficient, and also make them less likely to keep important information behind safe doors or mouths. The team needs to trust you, and you need to show your own trust, otherwise you will unable to get the most that you can get, and meanwhile unable to have faith that they will keep your team special secrets or abilities in safe hands. An abusive bug or even special plan leaked out can ruin any good project.
Moreover, make sure you look for the qualities a team needs.
- A Strong Team leader (Set goals, set Deadlines, Set it all up)
- A Strong Coding base (Someone to build the foundation)
- A strong Graphics base (Someone to design and make beauty)
- A strong PR/Community base (Someone to spread the word and give good impressions)
- A Strong artistic base (Give life to the game)
Once you have all of this, you can decide how, and where to acquire these people
Build Your own MMO! The Series!
Ever thought of it? Having your very own world, that you built (By yourself, or as a team) with your own time, resources, and elbow grease, but you just don't know where to start? Have no fear! When you finish reading this series, you will know where to get started!