Well I received the questions two weeks ago (for my TinkerBlue avatar). Sent them back with the answers and received the "we are reviewing, we will let you know in a week" message. Then, exactly a week later, I received the same "waiting" message from a different VMK_Staff member. It has been another week with no reply so I contacted VMK to inquire about my status and got the questions to answer again. Since I have been playing since about the second week of beta it is curious to me that I seem to be spending time in VMK limbo. Hmmm.
As to why I would like to be a Community Leader? Same reason as everyone, I suspect, I want the cool pin and the potential to get cool stuff later on if VMK gives substance to the role. That being said, my little avatar seems to gravitate to helping new guests with questions and spends a lot of time just wandering around VMK helping out. She has even been known to play Pirates at all levels to help newer guests win their games so they can get their pin. She is a bit of a chatterbox and can't resist answering the questions. If they set up a tour program with some Community Leaders, ala the
Disneyland Ambassadors, that would be something I would enjoy very, very much.
To address the whole "elite" issue...I suspect since this is all very new that the VMK staff is bringing in a fairly broad array of Community Leaders now and will begin sifting through them as they work through the game. JeanJoe, didn't you receive an email to the effect that there will be different levels of Community Leaders? It may be that the structure just isn't there yet and they are waiting to see what develops from the Community Leaders who exist. Along the lines of...CL_So&So spends a lot of time wandering the public areas and answering questions. This CL would be a good tour guide to help new players. CL_This&That is really good at the games and would be a natural to help out new guests learn to play pirates, fireworks, etc. CL_Thus&More, demonstrates good leadership and would be a natural to help out with events and supporting VMK staff with "tricky" situations. CL_There&Then has great potential but clearly does not have much time to play the game (physical presence-someone who may just play a couple of hours a day during the week but more during the weekend) so would be good as a general helper outer.
For now, I think the process of choosing and the lack of any clear direction to those who are Community Leaders will eventually go away. Also, when that happens, if they do "tier" the levels of "service", perhaps that is when the Community Leaders will be given incentives to really do the job. For now, it truely is a status thing for a lot of players. Yes, there are quite a few who are trying to "live up" to the title but they were the ones who have been helping all along.
iluvcountry - I'm sure if a guest decides that they do not wish to be a Community Leader they could either contact VMK through the application link and let them know or tell a VMK_Staff member in the game that you do not want to be one any longer. If you take that option though, you might want to soften the inquiry along the lines of "due to lack of time, I don't feel I can do justice to this responsibility" or some such phrasing so that you don't ruin your chance to become one later. Especially if they do have different levels or jobs amongst the CL community, there may be something that you would really enjoy doing. Just don't want to see anyone "burning their bridges".
I used to have a lot of fun being a little bit off-color, making fun of the boy / girl friend people, maybe even flirting a little sometimes, but mostly stopped after CL_. And I've felt guilty being in "private" parties, where the owner was booting non-"invited" people out; didn't seem right for someone who was supposed to be available to the public to be at a private thing.
Thank you!
