Even though most servers don't pay their GMs, it can't hurt if you want a more professional atmosphere. Some companies pay forum moderators (although most don't) so I think of this as a similar position.
I'd pay if I ran one. xD
xArmani: I think Nexon would most likely get mad at people paying coders for a site then GMs :p Coders make the servers better than GMS and offers more features.
I paid my GMs in trident layers.
After reading this last night, we had a bit of a discussion in IRC about it. Paying your staff can vary as can how you pay them. It shouldn't ever be expected that you're paid, however.
Things to consider:
- Workload
- Time spent working
- Contributions to the server
When I worked for a retail MMO as a GM, none of the player staff were contracted by the company in terms of an actual legally binding contract (Chinese company). They did employ a couple of GMs who were paid RL salaries, the player staff were paid in in game currency. The flaw to this was people became aware that player staff had certain perks and advantages, therefore people would try to apply simply because they wanted to get something for nothing. Thing was, as player staff we were responsible for a lot of the events (as well as hiring other player staff). We would brainstorm in staff Skype, plan the whole thing out, then we would submit the finished concept to the admins who 9/10 times would implement exactly what we proposed. I don't know if that was laziness on their part or not; the MMO I GMed on wasn't the only title that the staff oversaw and often some player staff would also moderate on multiple games, although this was discouraged as much as possible. While the MMO I GMed on was relatively hassle free, there was a large number of conflicts between player staff on the other games; when you factored in that a lot of these people were adults, it was pretty depressing. Being a GM is a paid job for the majority of online games; people in this thread seem to forget that. Even if you're running the server as a hobby, there is still the fact that if you're going to pay peanuts, you often get monkeys. If someone's GMing is 2-3 hours a day, then no I don't think that's worthy of payment. If they're putting in 8+ hours, then yes I think it is. If you think they're worth being on your staff, then surely their work is worthy of being paid in some way?
On a more MS related note, I recall on dMS, the staff were paid in NX. Every month we would receive an NX allowance. It actually worked out pretty well as the "pay" was weighted according to position. Back then we had Admins, Devs, Head GM, GMs, Interns, Head Mod, Moderators, IRC Mods and DJs. As obtaining NX was via voting, there was never really much that we were losing out on. The amounts we got weren't super amazing so we had an insane advantage (I still used to donate regularly to the server every month, even as staff), but it was just enough to show appreciation.
As long as the server comes first out of donations, I couldn't care less where the rest of the money goes. There is nothing wrong with rewarding those who positively contribute though and I have more respect for an admin who rewards his staff as well as himself than one who spends it on Doritos and porn for himself only, particularly if the staff are doing most of his work for him.
Let's not forget guys, time is money.
Last edited by Bellatrixa; 11-04-13 at 08:01 PM.
So you are saying that you are getting paid on Extalia?
She ain't even staff lol She got fired for abusing her power like a chump.Originally Posted by kevintjuh93
Ah thanks, didn't know that.
No Alex, I was fired because of your persistent whining to zero whenever I tried to punish you for anything and your attempts to manipulate one of the GMs against me. Stop being bitter that you're permabanned on all 3 services because the staff got sick of your crap. You couldn't even be trusted with OP on IRC as you were the reason non-staff had theirs removed. Please, slander is ugly. And stop bypassing and shit on IRC. Staff are getting sick of banning you. It's pretty pathetic that you just can't take the hint.
Anyway, yes I was fired quite some time ago (New Years Day last year, actually), however I also still contribute to the server in terms of content. I've worked not only on Field of Judgement but also on several events for the server and am currently working on some other projects too. I don't even really play these days as I've lost interest in the game for the most part. Staff on Extalia weren't paid when I was on it, nor are they now. The only "payment" I have received was an Empress Rod for my Luminous when they came out because Hidden said if I wanted something for what I'd contributed, I could have something. At the time we didn't have any rods above Lv 80 and I intended to main my Luminous so... Wasn't like I was profiting much and Cygnus is now out with me not having sold my rod. However, It's worth noting by the time I got that rod, I had worked on a few things for the server and I've worked on things since without asking for anything else, nor will I. I work on things because I enjoy them or people ask me to, not for a reward. As I said, no staff member should expect payment and nor should volunteers. Gratitude should be enough, yet I notice a lot of people don't seem to appreciate the workload their staff take off their shoulders quite often. A simple "Thank you" goes a long way.
Last edited by Bellatrixa; 12-04-13 at 10:10 PM.
Hi. Alex doesn't go on the IRC, you think Soulboy, Casper, and myself are all Alex for whatever dumb reason. I'd say 'that's cute', but nothing you do is cute you're like 600 pounds and I can smell you from the fucking midwest. Alex's signature is 100% accurate too. Please go shower now okay thank you.
Yes, that was why he was banned yesterday. Again. Can screenshot the banlist if you want. Now please, stop acting as if you know anything about me and derailing the thread. Good day :)
Yesterday, the fuck lol? Please post the info of the person that got banned that you think was me. Funny thing is, the times I have actually bypassed my IRC ban, I have entered with Cytex lol.
[18/03/2013 14:18:28] Kris: <Satan> Oh, there was some fun in IRC last night. Muff's nick got unregistered. Someone registered it and was an OP for a good minute or so. THen had problems banning the guy cause "Muff" was on the exceptions list. Yay for THAT inactive of staff :/
<Hidden> oh grand......
<Satan> Yeah. It was that UBuntu guy.
<Satan> Cytex also was able to get into chat last night too, don't understand that one at all.[20:29] <Hidden> were you here when SMC trolled the chat on 26th?
01[20:30] <Zyryn> I don't think so. I feel like I would have remembered if he trolled the entire chat.
01[20:33] <Zyryn> How did he do it, and why do you ask?
[20:33] <Hidden> i just learned that it wasn't even him
01[20:33] <Zyryn> Oh, lol.
[20:33] <Hidden> according to Alex, SMC as well as this Amar dude who hung around here a few days ago were Ubuntu (some edenms guy)
01[20:34] <Zyryn> I see. How does Alex know?
[20:35] <Hidden> didn't get a chance to ask him
[20:35] <Hidden> he had to go
Yes, because you guys are no problems at all ever and totally not full of shit. I don't see what this has to do with the topic of the thread, but carry on making fools of yourselves if you want lol. I'm done.
Ok enough guys. Drama again.
No. I don't think GMs should be paid on a private server. Even if you are the best private server. Extalia staff are not paid. Like Bella said, gratitude is enough and it should be enough. Anyone that pays for a GM position, jokes on you. Anyone is unpredictable. You have no idea what anyone will do at any point in time. This has come up in the past at Extalia. Had those staff members been paid, well, that would be a stab in the back and made the staff team look even worse. Private servers always come and go. It's a waste of money to have staff on a payroll when the server can be shut down, the coders lose interest, or unpredictable staff members. I can't imagine what it would be like having open GM applications AND mentioning that you're paying staff. Would be complete chaos in my opinion.
Pretty much this. If a GameMaster gets paid, you can practically expect for them to behave until they think they've earned enough money. It would look like you're keeping people at bay by money.
Oh sweet extalia drama *popcorn*
I was not paid on Aura Cryptic Arcane or Eden, And I was Community Manager 3 of those (And Intern on Aura)
Edit: Lolwhat why did bella post hostnames from IRC I can prolly ind out where people live from those, if even down to city (Except for le proxied ones) but some aren't. Bella you're silly.
