Why were guilds so gun ho about the matter? Why did they want to expand their base numbers? The general public did not know and did not care. It was enough for them that gaming was fun and occasionally they could earn money to break even.
But if you were a guild leader of even unrated guild, you would know having guild is like have a printing press- it would mint money everyday. Of course, just like a printing press, you had to safeguard it and make it legit. In VR games, the avenues to make money were even more than typical games.
And the maximum money could be printed in early phases of games- why? Because people would migrate to another game sooner or later. It is estimated average lifespan of such games is around 2 years.
Because around 2 years, everything would be clear- no more new maps to explore or chances of getting special weapons or resources, guilds would have their strength fixed and all available resources would be hogged by them, the members of the guild would become bored doing guild assignments daily- everything would become a boring routine.
VR games won't follow the life cycle of normal games though- they had all or none phenomenon. They would become hit within initial months or become complete flop.Their fate would be decided even faster than normal games- they could somehow sustain for nearly two years. But, if they became hits, they could go on living well for a decade or more depending upon the new content releases and related things.
These types of deep thinking, working out the trends were part and parcel of being great guilds. They had corporate structure and followed corporate rules too. After all, they had to pay people in high positions, elders, top players and in management real money- they were not playing around, all of them would be working long hours in the game.
Recent analysis by one of the think-tanks which were pretty much accurate in guessing gaming trends had analysed that this game-JIN HO would stay for long time and make more money than few nations.
Who wouldn't want a part of such lucrative pie? Thus, such aggressive beginning of guilds even before the game started. The gaming company was also happy. The Company would earn a bit in every transaction. More people leading to more transactions which meant they earned more money.
So, another rumor floated among upper echelon of guilds- the guild features may begin early this time and rules would be a bit wacky. Advertising of guilds reached new high.
The general public this process. Till game was released, they only had this as entertainment. Thankfully, game would launch soon simultaneously throughout the world at a single time. To increase competitiveness , JIN HO which had same maps through out the world would have regional listings and rank boards. The game would have such lists for every village, town, city, state, country, region, continent- both IRL and in games. How it would affect the people, it has to be seen later.
On Friday, around 12 am- midnight- the game was officially launched in the regions near SVU(Sahara Valley University). The campus had become eerily quiet around 10 pm and practically deserted by midnight. All students and faculties[who said only students could play games?] were tucked in their beds or pods linked to the game.
Nia was no different. She was spending here time in landing area, named thus for the area where her registration took place. She would message her friends , see forums , check other details from here too. The game launched and a portal opened in the picnic area. A thundering voice echoed- "Enter the portal, adventurers and let your journey through multiple heavens begin."
Nia thought- Status and a scroll showing her status came up. She took a pic for posterity and dived into the portal. From this portal, the players would be transported into multiple novice villages.
The boast of SIA works, the gaming company that they could accommodate all the people in this world into the game simultaneously and not crash seemed true enough. There was no slowing sown or pause as millions of people descending into novice villages.
Nia appeared near Daka village. Apparently she was among the lucky players to land in relatively prosperous village. The theme of medieval world continued here too but aesthetics were good. The village square, the homes and the shops were all charming and beautiful. Nia just had to record them from vantage point where she had spawned- technically speaking, where she had teleported.
Unlike others, Nia had spent long time with a fairy and learnt many things. So before walking into village square, she stood at vantage point and said- important landmarks and people I can talk to.
Few buildings developed a sheen and certain people's ornaments gleamed. This shortcut, she didn't think , would work and yet, it did. The fairy said few never liked talking to outsiders unlike fairies who liked to talk with everyone about everything. So the people in here had special way of showing if they were in the mood to talk or not. The buildings portion was due to improvisation on her part. After all, these NPCs would not always be roaming outside- they had their dwellings and workspace.
She looked at the village stone again. Village- Daka. Chief - Meeso. Residents -314.