Guild:The Expedition

The Expedition [XP]  is a online gaming community formed in August 2009 designed for individuals who like to relax and enjoy their gaming, playing at their own pace, seeking out their own personal goals, and exploring what they self-define as "fun". Sometimes the journey, the adventure in RPG PvE content, the competition in battle/arena or PVP games, or even the joy of running around aimlessly taking screenshots, is worth more than the achievements in the end. [XP] members enjoy rewards, but they value the experience the same, if not more. Also, who they play with is more important than what they are playing for the members of [XP].

The community started as a PvX guild for Guild Wars, where much of their gaming philosophy has developed from. Guild Wars is designed around accessibility, being able to pick up the game and play it in the style you want, whether solo or in a group. [XP] wants to emphasize that players should NOT be forced to play a certain way at a certain time with a certain build with certain members during a certain guild event or forever be plagued with guilt if they refuse to do so; however, members should be team players and be able to contribute to the team, carry their own weight, and make compromises for the sake of the team -- fight together, die together.

People have various play styles, capabilities, and spurts of casual and hardcore gaming (especially since many of us work, school, and/or have families to tend to). Therefore, [XP] does NOT require faction/reputation farming, title farming, playing with conventional builds, or participation in guild groups, but members are more than welcome to do so if they wish. [XP] does emphasize the need of versatility and openness to play in a variety of playstyles (PvE or PvP; team leader or follower; offensive and defensive; etc.).

There is no officer/leadership team for the guild. Though rules and resources are maintained by the guild leader, The Expedition takes a "lead by example, not by rank" approach where members help run the guild events and discussions. Nobody holds a higher rank than any other member, nor do they have required responsibilities, but members need to take it upon themselves to fill in needs as they see fit and actively contribute to the guild in their own unique way.

Guild Wars is considered the community's origin and is the one game that at least every member has in common, thus it is where the guild's main form of recruitment comes from. The guild also is in preparation for continuity into Guild Wars 2, and with their shared knowledge and respect for Guild Wars, they hold deep discussions about the upcoming title. [XP] is still currently active in Guild Wars, but members also game throughout a variety of different gaming genres (RTS, FPS, RPG, etc.) on different online gaming mediums, including BattleNet, Steam, Xbox Live, etc. Currently, when they are not in Guild Wars, many members are playing League of Legends or Starcraft: Broodwar together; however, whatever game members are playing (be it Guild Wars, Age of Empires, Dragon Age, Perfect World, etc.), the community tends to live on Ventrilo.

The community is focused around its people, not their avatars, so even if members are playing different games at different times, they keep in touch mainly though forums and Ventrilo, in addition to in-game chat. Communication is a necessity.

The Expedition is a social group of gamers that are not only experienced in gaming but are also self-sustainable, able to support and entertain themselves in any game, any situation, with whatever resources are available.

Guild Wars 2
In addition, [XP] will be in preparation for continuity into Guild Wars 2. Members share information and news excitedly as they arise, and the guild will be planning its entrance into the next Guild Wars title when more information is released early 2010.

The goal for [XP] in Guild Wars 2 is to have a social community ready to jump into the new title as guild at launch, whether playing solo or grouped together, while being able to share the tales of their explorations, their discoveries, and the “Oh my! Guess what just happened…” surprises they come upon.

Adventure Logs
Since [XP] is a general online gaming community, they maintain Adventure Logs within their forums that list current games that their members are playing. This way, members can find out what others members are playing, chart their own adventures and achievements in their own games, and maybe find interest in trying out a new title.

Recruitment
What are they looking for?: 
 * - North American players
 * - Ventrilo/Mic Required for team play and socializing
 * - 2-Week forum posting inactivity rule (no in-game login requirement)
 * - Versatile players: must have strengths in both PvE and PvP in any game
 * - Commitment: the guild is not some "toy" that you play with when you feel like it; you join to play with the guild, not to fulfill personal goals
 * - Patience: the guild has casual players that fluctuate on activity daily, and some members are new to the games being played
 * - Good Team Gamers: can support the team with more than just gaming skills: morale, focus, strategy, insight, and can pull his/her own weight
 * - Real-Life Professionalism: has responsibilities in RL, such as work/school/family
 * - Unique Social Character: gets to know people and gets known by others

Please visit their Recruitment Forums for more details about the application process.

Contact information
Website: http://theexpedition.proboards.com