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Illuminati comes to life in Perfect World

by Joel on July 15th, 2008

I have a new clan in Perfect World Philippines, and it’s mine, meaning I’m not just a member or an official but the owner. If you’re an MMOtaku regular, then you probably know about my departure from the Guardians, one of the most enduring factions in Perfect World Philippines’ Tiger Server.

Minutes after creating Illuminati, friends who have also left the Guardians joined and became my first set of officers. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them. First, I’d like to extend deep gratitude and love to my wife, who plays the yuling (elf priest) Cesky, for without her strength and support, Joel and character Malystryx would surely be lost. To Khang, who brings to life the yuling franz04 and a host of other characters, I give my trust and utmost support for she alone among all clan officers has been to the darkside (LoL!). And, of course, firestorm, Illuminati’s first marshal who, unknown to members, devote more time and yuan (the in-game currency) to the clan than all members combined. Yes, Illuminati’s officers are female (heck, even my avatar is female).

Whew! Now that praise and gratitude are out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the aches and pains that a new clan like Illuminati has to endure to survive in a Perfect World.

I’ve been taking an active interest in a thread on the Perfect World Philippines forums. It’s actually not about the struggle of new clans but more of a survey to determine players’ perceptions on what clans are dominating the Tiger Server. No, my interest is not only seeing Illuminati in the Top 10 clans list of forum habitués, but also seeking solutions to some problems hounding the players and the server. Why? Well, a while back, I wrote about paying acts of kindness forward, or doing something good for another person for something good that has been done to you by another person. Don’t make sense? Read the story.

Anyway, going back to the forum thread, one poster decried the lack of opportunities for new and small clans to take territories in the weekly Territorial Wars. You see, the Tiger Server map is currently controlled by only four clans—Guardians, Exiled, Legacy, and Aether (in no particular order). For the benefit of the uninformed, I’m reposting one of forum user maxrev’s first replies to the topic “Top 10 Guilds/Clans” (edited, of course, since the original is in Filipino):

There’s no hope (to gain a territory) by making a new clan. Here’s why:

1. If I create a clan, who will join? My friends? Who else? Lowbies? Can my new clan go toe-to-toe with established clans?
2. Ninety percent of the server population wants to join clans who already have territories. It’s hard to admit, but it’s true. I want to, I’m sure you do, too.
3. Ninety percent of the server population wants to join a famous clan. Same as Number 2.
4. Even if I manage to put up a clan, it might become only a training ground for lowbies. They’ll only use the clan and its resources to level up, and when they’re strong enough, they’ll migrate to other clans. Such a waste!

This is why it’s impossible for new and small clans to conquer territories.

Ahh, such a pessimistic world view. I agree that sometimes it may seem pointless to go through the whole process of creating a clan, building up its resources and strength, and finally staking a claim on a territory against a much stronger foe, but that’s the beauty of MMORPGs with guild or clan war systems. Rising up to the challenge makes it all worthwhile.

Sure, the four major clans’ hold on the 44 territories available are strong, but with a little hard work and a little luck, a small clan like Illuminati may yet gain a foothold and show other small clans the way.

As you can see, there’s only four factions controlling the map. Is there room for small clans like Illuminati? Legend: Guardians (Purple), Aether (Green), Exiled (Red), Legacy (Orange). Screenshot taken by Joel from the online game Perfect World, developed by Perfect World Co. Ltd. and published in the Philippines by Level Up! Games.

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POSTED IN: Asian MMO, Asian MMO Players, Guilds/Clans/Factions, Level Up! Games, MMORPG, My World, Perfect World, Random Rants