(01-04-2014, 05:57 PM)Jack_Henderson Wrote: I agree that there has to be an incentive to fly official.
The incentive has to outweigh the negative aspects of flying tagged/official, which can be HUGE.
Therefore purely cosmetic doesn't cut it, in my book.
(...)
Firstly, as a long-term indy, and only dipping my toe in official waters once (twice?), I gotta agree with your first part. To the general indy, looking into official faction recruitment, it comes across as a list of instructions and/or limitations. Regardless of how small that list is, even if it is just spending time to write an in-RP app, it is still something more to do that an indy does not. And in return? Hehe, well, with 'balance' all indy's are to be given free access to their faction's (Read - "their ID's") tech. As such, they gain nothing special in return but a couple of letters/symbols prefixing their name. And some minor prominence in the highly elitist social structure of disco. Oh, and some responsibility.
Now, so far, that's a three to one, so, the official factions tend to see that as good, howerver, from an average indy's point of view, a suffix is the same as an ID, and means nothing, prominence and renown ((in)fame(y) if you you will) are meaningless compared to the vet's so is not something to be sought, and responsibility. Oh responsibility. Well, (personally) a huge turn-off for games is the feeling you're obligated to play, either because your faction needs actives, or because you've *got* to make a report on X interaction. It's a game, not a job, and responsibility should only be taken on by those who wish it, and not be the shackles that come with flying official.
Right, that's the problem with official factions from my PoV, and sadly the solution is short, simple, and controversial. That factions need to be 'special' from Indy's again. Or rather, appeal to indys. To relate to the OP, power in the form of a more dynamic power structure sounds like a great way to go. That by joining an official, players can become more involved in development of that faction through a transparent development process, where everything is submitted vied, discussed, and ultimately judged independently and openly, regardless of who's idea it was and what 'social pressure' it has behind it.
Alas, perfect world... Well, for every 100 that would sit down and discuss in detail what a perfect system could be, coming out of what is a pseudo-feudal system, with social power ruling absolute, is impossible. That's down to the fact that if even one of the 'elite', 'veterans' or 'well-connected' want to keep things behind closed doors. So it shall stay. History itself, in a (slightly) extreme comparison, shows us that *EVERY* community/country/civilisation that starts with this form of power balance will have a large fight on their hands to shift it.
Seeing as with discovery there is NO reason or incitement for the 'elites' or 'vets' to share their power, nor reprimand if they don not, they simply shall not. After all, it's not like they rely on the lower echelons of the player-base for anything, ulike the compared communities. They have absolute control, and giving illusions of sharing it (IE: FR's having to be asked for) only makes them appear less so.
*sigh* I feel I've divuldged from the topic at hand a little, so I shall digress with a conclusion.
TL;DR
Much as there are many, many, MANY problems, they cannot, and will not change, no matter how much talking could be achieved. As such it is my personal opinion not to fight what you cannot control. Lords will rule their land as they see fit, and the serfs shall merely beg.
Oh, and by all means, constructive criticism, suggestions, and disagreements are appreciated. This thread has given me a plan to write my thoughts on the matter down in a more concise way for future replies. Which will be this time tomorrow, 'tis Saturday night after all.
