Statement of Organization/Mission Statement

“To Provide a Positive Online Gaming Environment For All ”

A. Overview

Started June 26, 2002, Factor 8 Guild (often referred to as Factor 8 or simply F8 ) is comprised of a group of mature people within a virtual gaming environment, who strive to concentrate on our teamwork and develop friendships that go beyond being teammates playing virtual games. We take great pride in the comradeship that has developed in our community and members regularly refer to the guild as a "family". Friendships, attitude and fun are more valuable to us than skill, high scores, or kills/deaths ratios.

B. The Battlefield

The Factor 8 Gaming Guild currently plays in public or "open" servers and on our own guild funded servers. Our servers, regardless of the game type will always have “Factor 8 Guild” or “Factor 8” incorporated in the description of the game type in the in-game browser. Typically, our game servers are “open” and non-members are encouraged to join us regularly. Occasionally, we may password protect our server for “members only” activities.

C. Callsigns

Your call sign and "Tag" is a very important aspect of Factor 8. There is one tag, =8= for all Factor 8 members. For games that support the option of using colors for your call sign, that is left to the current sponsored team members to decide what is best to use. Please, keep in mind that when you are on our server to use your call sign at all times.

D. Factor 8 Structure

I. Guild

Factor 8 as a whole is known as a "Guild". There are many other gaming groups who call themselves "Clans". Through these regulations, and Factor 8 itself, the word "Guild" will be used to represent the entire gaming group and all of the various gaming teams, and all resources possessed by Factor 8 Guild.

II. Team

When a member enters the guild, they will have access to every game that is currently sponsored by Factor 8. Each individual title is categorized as a “Team”

III. Round Table Staff

The five members of the Round Table Staff provide guidance and suggestions on the direction of the guild and perform a myriad of tasks pertaining to the day to day operations of the guild.

E. Joining the Factor 8 Guild

I. Getting Started

Getting the process started to become a Factor 8 member is as easy as clicking on our application page! Be sure to tell us a little about yourself and be sure to read the regulations before submitting an application. Submitting an application implies that you have read and agreed to this entire statement of regulations. If you do not agree, please do not submit an application.

II. Application Timeline

Once an application has been submitted, it goes to vote before the Round Table members. A reply will be sent to the applicant typically within 48 hours. If the application is accepted, the applicant will be emailed with the steps they need to complete to become full members of Factor 8 Guild.

F. Membership Requirements

I. Game Title Ownership

To become a member of each gaming team, you must own a valid store bought copy of the game for that team. Factor 8 On-line Gaming Guild does not support nor condone software piracy. If a member is found to be participating with an illegitimate game copy, they will be removed from the guild immediately and banned from playing on our servers.

II. X-Fire

We fully support the use of X-fire for our Guild wide communication. Upon acceptance, new members will be added to the Factor 8 X-fire guild list so that every member will be able to communicate with one another. Other applications, for messaging and file transfers are solely left up to the member’s discretion. The Factor 8 guild tags, =8= should be incorporated in your X-fire nickname.

III. TeamSpeak

Factor 8 solely uses TeamSpeak (also referred to as TS) for its voice communications. Our TeamSpeak server is private and only for the use of F8 members, and the occasional guests. We do not provide a public TS server for non-members. All members are required to have this software, and be able to use it fully, which requires a working headset/microphone to speak to your team members. The Factor 8 guild tags, =8= should be incorporated in your TeamSpeak nickname. If you have never used TeamSpeak before, a Round Table member will be glad to help you get it set up and working.

IV. Head Set W/Microphone

Our Guild relies heavily on our ability to communicate via TeamSpeak using voice communication. We find that this not only reduces in game chat, it improves the gaming experience for the member. A microphone headset is required to join the Guild. Using a stand alone microphone and external speakers is not acceptable as they tend to cause horrible sounding feedback in the voice comms.

V. Forums

All members are encouraged to post on the forums weekly. Our forums are constantly evolving and are the most effective way to communicate something to all members. Important guild announcements and news pertaining to all members are always posted in our forums, and sometimes on the home page of the website. It is the responsibility of the member to check the forums regularly to stay informed of Guild announcements and activities. Forum guidelines are posted in our guild announcements forum.

VI. Participation

Being a part of the F8 team is more than just reading and posting occasionally in the forum. All members are required to have regular participation in the guild. The Round Table Staff will review the forums and TeamSpeak user logs once a month. If it is determined a member has been inactive, then their membership will be canceled and they will need to reapply for membership if they wish to return. Prior membership does not guarantee reinstatement of membership, but it will be taken into consideration.

VII. Conduct

As a condition of being accepted as one of Factor 8 guild, you agree to wear our tags (=8=) in game while playing on our server(s) and while participating in other guild on-line activities. All Factor 8 members are expected to conduct themselves appropriately on-line in the public areas of our website, the in game text chat, and any other website/forum/game server in which they are displaying the F8 tags or presenting themselves as members of Factor 8 Guild. No member shall neither engage in the use of any in game cheats, hacks, or exploits in ANY public server, nor shall they post disrespectful, profane, inflammatory, or pornographic text or material where they identify themselves as a member of F8 through our gamer tag. This applies to all areas where a Factor 8 member is in contact with the public outside the guild. Private areas of the forums, website, and TeamSpeak, have their own rules, but are more lenient so long as such comments or material are not meant to insult, intimidate or harass. Membership in Factor 8 and another team/clan/guild is not permitted.

G. Guild Ranks

Factor 8 was founded with a strong belief that everyone from the Round Table, to our newest members have a voice. Everyone is treated and respected as an equal when involved in guild wide votes and meetings. Ranking is generally dictated by tenure, which we have quite of few members whom have developed an "unofficial" seniority within the guild (War Horses). Newer members do have a voice and are encouraged to use it! Without input from the guild members, the overall mission of Factor 8 cannot succeed.

H. New Team Requests

Factor 8 is always looking for the next great title to expand our guild. Ultimately, the Round Table Staff decides what will be the next title. It is put to vote and if agreed, steps taken to put a new team on-line. If a member of the Guild would like to see a new team for a title, it is suggested that you post in our "other games" forum and seek support of your fellow members to get a new team underway. If a significant amount of players within the guild feel that they want a particular title to come about, it is then discussed by the Round Table Staff and put to vote.

I. Funding

Factor 8 Contingency receives funds from the members that participate in the guild. This is facilitated on a confidential voluntary donation basis. Outlines of this procedure will be clearly marked in our member forums.

Factor 8 reserves the right to change these regulations at any time based on current need. (Revised Feb, 2009)