So, right now, guilds are just like big happy groups. With worthless command positions, and nifty little nametags. Bringing in more people is certainly nice, but its really just a buddy list With IRC.

So here's one idea for expanding the guild framework (one of many, as I'm well aware)

How bout faction standing bonuses/penalties based on the faction standing of your fellow guild mates. Stop and let your wave of indifference roll over you. Ok, eyes back on me.

Hence, if there are 10 itani in a guild and 1 serco, and they all have admire with itan, and hate with serco (except for the serco, who's the opposite), They would have a major effect on his standing. (What the hell is the serco nation going to think of one of their own who brands himself with the mark of some cowardly itani?)

Likewise, pirates could collectively up their standing with corvus, with massive benefits, since they ALL would be upping it at the same time.

If anyone leaves the guild though, they lose the bonuses, giving command a bit of power.

Traders would be the ultimate commodity, since anyone who added a trader to their guild would gain standing in factions all over the universe (Note, maybe this is a bad idea, do we really want Sacred Chao to have this much power :)?)

This has plenty of room to be worked on, and yet wouldn't appear to involve complex algorithms.

It would really make us work harder on our faction standing as a community, and let those of us struggling to achieve status as a group with an identity, find it in common homes.

I like the idea.

we can already gain combat xp in a group mission.

we could gain faction standing as a guild goal--each player's contribution adds to the goal. When a new member joins, the average gain in faction standing should be affected too.

thirded (assuming harvestmouse seconded)