Time Lord Wyrom is looking for Time Lords In Training. Seriously – if you are interested in either the events or the new player experience teams, there’s an application for that, and it’s listed in his post:
Category: Discussions with Simutronics Topic: Help Wanted: GemStone Staff Teams
Date: 01/03/2018 11:52 PM CST
From: SIMU-WYROM
Subj: We're Hiring!
We are currently looking to make a few additions to the GameMaster roster. These positions will primarily be housed on the Events team and the New Player Experience team.
The Events team includes ongoing assistance in the building and execution of various pay events, including but not limited to design concepts, area-building, creating associated items/prizes/scripts, and live event support. The New Player Experience team includes an initial focus on designing and building content and tools to help new and returning players transition smoothly into GemStone and the Elanthian world, as well as attention trained on overall customer service and player retention.
Among the various roles we will be filling, there are a handful of specific roles that will be included in the above: a dedicated QCer; a guru/manager for the Mentor Society; a wiki manager; and coders/developers for items and systems related to those two teams. If one of those specific roles is especially appealing to you, please note that in your application.
Please note that you should have a true interest in working within these particular teams and roles if you apply; you should expect that you will be housed on your hire team for the foreseeable future. (In short, if your big dream is to work in a specific role that we are not currently filling (such as a town guru), you would be best served by waiting to apply until we have need of a position more suited to your interests.)
Some additional information:
WhatisrequiredofaGameMaster? GMs are assigned specific projects related to their team and expected to complete those assignments within a given timeframe. Additionally, GMs for the above teams spend time onduty to answer assists and referrals. A standard benchmark we use for hourly expectations to be a GameMaster is 30 to 60 hours a month. While most active GMs put in well above that, it is unusual for a GM to complete their assigned projects in fewer hours. Aside from regularly scheduled meetings, when you put this time in each week is largely flexible. GMs are able to work on other side projects as their ability and time allows. Do note that for the Events team, there is the expectation that you will be available during certain event dates.
WhatdowelookforinpotentialGameMaster? Actively playing (generally, six months of recent playing is considered a minimum), account in good standing, comfortable talking about basic technical aspects of GS and gameplay, ability to consistently commit to completing assigned duties, a willingness to attempt learning new skills/systems, and ability to work both alone and as part of a larger team. Customer service experience in any field is also helpful. Note that these are the broad strokes of the qualities that we look for, but there is no cookie-cutter mold — if you don’t quite fit into the above but think you can contribute as a GameMaster, use the application to explain why.
Ihaveawarningonmyaccount.Doesthatmeanmyaccountisnotingoodstanding? This depends on the type of warning, how egregious it was, and how recent it is. Your one vulgarity warning from six years ago is unlikely to render your application invalid.
What sort of compensation is there for GameMasters? GMs earn from a shares pool that is directly tied to GemStone’s monthly earnings. Years ago, you may have heard compensation related to “beer and pizza money,” but GameMasters earn monetary compensation based on the projects they complete each month that can result in a few hundred dollars a month for the more productive staff members. Working additional projects can also earn extra money. All GameMasters are compensated with a free account with Platinum access. GMs can also earn a number of in-game incentives.
I’minterested.HowdoIapply? If you are interested in becoming a GameMaster: Go to https://www.play.net/gs4/apply/apply.asp and click on the “Join the Team” link under the GameMasters section. Once you do that, there are three parts to the application: (1) Personal Info; (2) Application (“GameMaster Application”); (3) Customer Experience GM “Test”. You must fill out all three parts in order to be considered. In many cases, the application and test is all that we know of your skill and creativity level, so it is in your best interest to give comprehensive answers where applicable.
We will only review applications updated in the past 6 months. If you already have an older application submitted but have no changes to make, simply go to the “Update Application” tab in the application area, scroll to the bottom, and cick “Submit” in order to update your application’s timestamp.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Wyrom, PM
Date: 01/04/2018 01:07 AM CST
From: LTLPRPRINCESS
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
>>Among the various roles we will be filling, there are a handful of specific roles that will be included in the above: a dedicated QCer; a guru/manager for the Mentor Society; a wiki manager; and coders/developers for items and systems related to those two teams. If one of those specific roles is especially appealing to you, please note that in your application.
Can we still help out in towns every so often? Like if I wanted to invade Zul Logoth since no one lives there to defend it, I can if I’m not the “guru”.
#bardlife
Date: 01/04/2018 01:29 AM CST
From: SIMU-WYROM
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
>>Can we still help out in towns every so often?
Yes. We try to stay away from “silos.” We promote cross-functional team support whenever possible. There are a lot of fun opportunities as a GM, but we also want to be transparent on the roles we are hiring for.
This is for non-coding QC, and what you primarily are tasked with is checking: (1) rooms, items, messaging, etc. for grammar, spelling, and clarity; and (2) the underlying builds of items, rooms, etc. to ensure they’re built properly and follow various applicable standards. Nearly all of our QC involves working with the builder/creator, who will edit as needed, rather the QCer making direct edits to those items. You’ll want to have an excellent grasp of English grammar (which school of grammar doesn’t really matter), good attention to detail, and a communication style that is both professional and conducive to playing well with others.
QCers get trained on everything they’ll need except grammar and spelling — we expect that a QCer is coming into the position with that knowledge already well in-hand.
>>Are these scheduled meetings on the weekends? Just wondering if it would be worth applying (or allowed) if someone lives outside of the US.
Although these are generally on weekdays, don’t let that be a reason not to apply if you’re interested; we understand that people naturally have other obligations and/or big time zone differences, and we’ll work with your schedule in that regard. We’ve definitely had overseas GMs before on staff.
~Kaikala
Date: 01/04/2018 10:31 PM CST
From: LTLPRPRINCESS
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
I was told if I were to apply and be brought on as a GM, I’d no longer be able to be a CHE officer, is this true? Does the same apply for MHOs and/or mentors?
#bardlife
Date: 01/04/2018 10:41 PM CST
From: MILO6
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
Well that counts me out heh. Thanks for the info!
Date: 01/05/2018 08:59 AM CST
From: KRAKII
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
“a communication style that is both professional and conducive to playing well with others.” — Kaikala
Sssoooo… sending the item back with an Ophion-esque, “No.” Probably not a good fit?
Date: 01/05/2018 10:01 AM CST
From: KHARIZ555
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
You know what I miss? The Ildran Officiality Index.
Date: 01/05/2018 10:31 AM CST
From: VUWH60A
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
> Ildran Officiality Index
Thanks for reminding me that that is out there.
😀
Date: 01/05/2018 10:32 AM CST
From: KHARIZ555
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
Just for posterity:
The Ildran Officiality Index (IOI) is a tool for determining how much you should really pay attention to my stupid posts. It’s a measure of how much a post conveys the Official Word of Simutronics and how much is just so much blather by some guy behind a keyboard. Higher is….umm….better. More official, anyway.
IOI = 0: These posts really have nothing to do with anything. If you skip them, you’ll probably be a better person for it. They’ll be mostly found in the Socializing category, because that’s the obvious location for discussing nonsense. Examples: Stories of my weekend, discussion of the current contents of my desk drawers, or rants on social values.
IOI = 1: These posts are entirely opinion, but they’re opinion about Gemstone, and simply due to my name showing up in red (dude….it’s RED) they carry that little bit of unwarranted officialness. Examples: Mocking the dead resulting from my invasion, whether I think that alteration is ugly, or my favorite race to roleplay.
IOI = 2: These posts are mostly or entirely opinion, but they’re opinion about mechanics not just Gemstoniness. Hence, they carry at least a little weight. Also, they generally will pull on information that is commonly available to players. Examples: Whether boxpicking is a viable method of experience gain, why one would use non-edged weapons in combat, or which critters are easy.
IOI = 3: These are part official and part opinion. Anything less than this would have looked basically the same as a player, these start to differ. Examples: Personal interpretations of game mechanics and their reasoning, debates on the direction of a profession, or where the game went wrong economically.
IOI = 4: These are mostly official posts. I’m a GM, speaking as a GM, on GM matters. Examples: Personal interpretations of policy grey areas, discussions or explanations on things I’m actually responsible for, discussions of what should/can/must/may be implemented [next/soon/in a million years/never/RSN].
IOI = 5: The only thing that would change in these posts if another GM were to have posted in my stead would be the wording. There’s no opinion here. These are officially official posts of officiality. Officially. Examples: Announcements. Uhh…..announcement follow-ups. Umm….announcement clarifications? Yeah.
IOI = -1: These posts are actually the opposite of official. They’re about Gemstone, and say things that actually are wrong. If you read these, remember this. I am NOT serious. Examples: Sarcastic remarks. Actually, that’s it.
And we’re done! I hope you all took notes, there’ll be a quiz on this next period. Ok, time for recess. – Ildran
Date: 01/05/2018 12:19 PM CST
From: INIQUITY
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
<<Sssoooo… sending the item back with an Ophion-esque, “No.” Probably not a good fit?>> – Krakii
I would be so good at that…
– Xorus’ player
Date: 01/05/2018 01:15 PM CST
From: KRAKII
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
No. You would not.
.
.
<flee!>
Date: 01/05/2018 08:17 PM CST
From: CLUNK24963
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
>You know what I miss? The Ildran Officiality Index.
+1
I’ve had times when I want to borrow it and its notion, out of game.
For some reason, when it comes to goodness of information, or maturity of concepts (transitioning to reality) folks sometimes have a really tough time conveying this sort of notion.
Clunk
(Buy your swords at CBD weapons in Zul Logoth.)
Date: 01/06/2018 11:09 AM CST
From: SIMU-WYROM
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
>>You know what I miss? The Ildran Officiality Index.
I actually miss it myself. When I got hired, Ildran was still doing quite a few things behind the scenes. I wanted to piggyback off his system, but I felt it was stealing his shtick.
Wyrom, PM
Date: 01/29/2018 12:29 PM CST
From: SIMU-WYROM
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
Just an update on all this. The application screening process typically takes us about a week, as we usually have around 10 to 15 applicants that we discuss. This time around we had over 60 applicants, so it’s taking a little bit longer than it usually does. We can’t interview everyone, especially those who were not clear as to where they’d like to fit in with what we announced. Also, we had a higher influx of players with no play time or that are on the current 60 day promo. We generally look for 6 months of recent activity as a minimum on the account you applied with. Just trying to give expectations in a roundabout way as we move forward. We’ll try to put notes in on your application as we finish up and move to the interview phase.
Wyrom, PM
Date: 01/30/2018 12:20 AM CST
From: LUXELLE
Subj: Re: We're Hiring!
SQUEEEE!
60 applications is an amazing response! Well-done, Elanthians. I see this as a very bright spot for GemStone’s future.
Even if it means Wyrom & Team have more work than they expected for a little while.
I’m celebrating this 🙂
— Rohese: “… the TownCrier (tune in if you haven’t, it’s without doubt the best thing to ever happen on LNet)” ;tune towncrier
