Everyone on Furcadia could listen in to Emerald Flame's revealing the plans for the new Group Packages. They could also attend the meeting in person, and ask questions at the end.

The Group Packages Talk log

Emerald|Flame: Hi all and welcome to the first Groups and Guilds Day! I'm going to try to hold these each month, so if you didn't get your booth this month, sign up for next!
Emerald|Flame: Each month we have have talks that should help Dreamowners, Rahs, and those thinking about starting a Group. Gar gave a talk earlier about consolidating dragonspeak to give you more lines. The log will be posted on the webpages along with the log of this Group Package talk. Next month Talzie will talk about making basic 3D items and I will give a talk on starting a Guild.
Emerald|Flame: Be sure to wander around the yellow section of the map and talk with the Groups and Guilds advertising here today!
Emerald|Flame: Now on to the main part of the show tonight! This talk is about the upcoming Group Packages that we will be selling on Digo Market after the update.
Emerald|Flame: Fair warning and standard disclaimer: These features that I'm talking about tonight are not all programmed and ready to go. There could be changes and differences to anything that I tell you and some questions you might have I just won't be able to answer. We won't know exactly how everything will work until it's all done and through the testing phase. We also may not have all of these features ready when we release Group Packages. We will be adding new features to existing packages just like we do with Sponsorships now.
Emerald|Flame: I should mention why we call these Group Packages and not Guild Packages! This is because groups in Furcadia aren't just about big guilds. These packages will work for small social groups that hang out on main maps, clubs, families, herds, packs, SIGs or however you want to group yourselves! Even individuals can get them and give out tags to all their friends.
Emerald|Flame: As many of you know, I used to run a big Guild in Furcadia before I started working for Dragon's Eye Productions and while I was just volunteering. I know how difficult it is to run a group and how lost you can feel when you first start. I've been working for many years now (about 6 or so) to get together a group of features and tools that will make running groups a lot easier and more fun. We call these Group Packages.
Emerald|Flame: Group Packages will be a collection of features both in game and on the web, that will help you out in running groups of all kinds. They will come in a lot of different sizes and the costs will vary according to what's in the package. We'd love to give all of this out free, but they've cost us a lot of money to design and program and will cost us more to run. Our hope is that Groups will join together to help pay for the packages. Maybe the group as a whole will even find a service they can offer other Furcadians to help cover the cost or they can hold raffles or other fund raisers.
Emerald|Flame: Like our old Chartered Guilds, only one person will be paying for Group Packages and talking to DEP about the package. That person will be the group leader. I would say the Rah, but one of the features will be to name your group leader and taneests whatever you like.
Emerald|Flame: Speaking of the old Chartered Guilds, we will no longer have chartered guilds like they were before. The old ones still in existance will be grandfathered for six months at a base level package and then will need to buy their own package or just use the free package. They will be given a discount on an upgraded package if that's what they'd rather do.
Emerald|Flame: Yes, there will be a free version of Group Packages, but it won't have a guaranteed upload spot. It will have a lot of fun features that are not available now though!
Emerald|Flame: Felorin has not decided exactly what features will go in what package or how much each package will cost. He will have a better idea on this after all the features are completed. To give you an idea, the lowest package should be a simple one for groups that hang out on main maps. It will just have the custom desctag, the group's page on the web and a chat channel so you can talk silently with your friends on a main map or anyplace they are in Furcadia. You could also use this package to broadcast a channel that you let the public listen in on too. This one should be 3 to 5 dollars a month to run.
Emerald|Flame: The packages will be subscription, or rent, like some other items we offer. However, with Group Packages, you should be able to stack them, so that you pay ahead. Or you can gather up DragonScales from your members or through contests and use them to pay as you go. This was one big reason we wanted to get DragonScales in before the update, so you could save up!
Emerald|Flame: Now to let you know of some of the many features that will be included in Group Packages!
Emerald|Flame: Webpage interface: Everyone, even free groups will get a page with your charter information that tells about your group. Those with the right packages will also get a way to sign members up, members lists, ways to set up tags, custom logos, list of affiliated groups, charter info, and much more. Your member's desctags will link to this page!
Emerald|Flame: I especially love the part about signing members up. You can specify how members sign up and turn their membership on from there. You can do everything from just letting in anyone who wants to join, to setting up a form or application, to requiring they email you to request membership. This will be a huge help!
Emerald|Flame: Some of the larger group packages will come with more advanced web features and tools like calendars, forums, mailing lists, Furcadia.net email addresses, etc. We may even offer completely customizable webspace for the top packages.
Emerald|Flame: There will even be a way to set a "white list" so that you only allow those on the list in your dream.
Emerald|Flame: Custom desctags: This was the first idea I had many years ago. Each Group will be able to make and submit their own desctag(s) that will link to their webpage when clicked. They will be able to give these out to the members of their group. In the higher packages there will be multiple levels of these available in case you want to give different ranking members different tags. Even the free packages will get a premade desctag that indicates if they are the Rah or Taneest of a guild. I know I'm looking to give Circle members their rings finally!
Emerald|Flame: In-game support: You will get a chat channel with every group package that you can set up to just talk among staff, to all the members, let all the members talk or broadcast to anyone. You can even do tellgroup messages that send out to everyone in your group that's online. You should also be able to get a list of which members are online.
Emerald|Flame: Dream Portals: Everyone with packages will get special dream portals that indicate that your dream has a group package. The higher package you get the nicer the portals and the top package will even have custom portals eventually. There will also be matching upload portals that will save the spot for the specified upload character. With the right packages your dream will never go down unless you take it down!
Emerald|Flame: You will also have the option to have a second entrance to your dream autoplaced in the Group Hall in Naia. This will be a great way for you to advertise for new members!
Emerald|Flame: Dream Features: Depending on which Packages you get, you will also get different levels of dream features. You can get extra space in your dream, more lines of allowed DragonSpeak and even more local species! I expect these will be especially popular!
Emerald|Flame: There's also many more features we are considering such as top billing on the hangout list when that goes in. Also, we are looking at different ways you can advertise your Groups!
Emerald|Flame: I know I am very much looking forward to the new Group Packages and i hope many of you are as well. I've already figured out a good way to raise DragonScales to buy mine!
Emerald|Flame: I will take questions and answer them as best I can for awhile! F3 to raise a paw if you are in the dream and in a seat.
Emerald|Flame: Adam Komar: Have you considered allowing each leader of a group to just customize their package and base cost on which features they choose to have in their package?
Emerald|Flame: Yes, we have considered it, but it will be very hard to do on paypal! So to begin with we are just doing pre-planned packages. Maybe later!
Emerald|Flame: JossiRossi: You mentioned a second upload spot. This means that hopefully you could have more than one dream portal per dream instance. Would it be possible to create these secondary portals within dreams we own? Like could I interconnect my dreams to each other.
Emerald|Flame: That's actually two different features you are talking about. The "second portal" is a link to your main dream in the Group Hall in Naia. However, our larger packages will allow some dreams in dream with the same features or some of the features that your main dream has.
Emerald|Flame: Randi Allah: Will this fine stuff also go to groups in the FurN? You mentioned Naia.
Emerald|Flame: That's a very good question! Adult dreams can have all the same features as any other dream, even an upload spot in Naia. To get to the upload spot in Naia though you will need adult verification. The Rah's of all dream that upload to adult areas will be required to become adult verified, however, your members do not have to be varified unless the Rah says so. They are in charge of what goes on in the dream.
Emerald|Flame: I should add to that last one that all adult dreams will automatically block children with our software.
Emerald|Flame: Smoke Foxpaws: You mentioned a Rah as leader of the dreams what sort of power does the Rah have outside and inside there dream? Also when is the next update? Sorry to ask two questions in one.
Emerald|Flame: Rah's have complate control over their dreams. They are the biggest constant in a dream and they decide who else has what powers and what happens inside their own area. On the control panel they will have setting to set up how they Group works and they are the only ones responsible (in our eyes) for paying for and running the Group. Updates happen when they are ready!
Emerald|Flame: Rat The Unloved: In your answer to Jossi you said that Group Packages will support "Nested" Dreams/Guilds. Will the "white list" and other, simmilar, features be customizeable for each dream within the nested Guild, or will all be the same? I.e. Could my OOC dream permit anymone, but my IC dream allow only approved, listed Members?
Emerald|Flame: Certainly not at first, maybe at some point! We will be lucky to get most fo these features in the beginning. The Programmers are workign hard on it!
Emerald|Flame: Jesto: Will the top-tier packages be in the price range of just about anyone with some spare money who wants to buy them, or will they be more suited to a dream like The Golden Tether who has 100+ members, the majority of artists who are capable of bringing in a lot of scales for the guild?
Emerald|Flame: That depends a lot on how much spare money you have, honestly. The very top tear packages will be huge with lots of everything and a price to match. However, all the basics and niceties will be avable at a fairly resonable price. These are meant to be something that multiple people work on to pay for. For my package for Sanctuary and The Circle, I am selling Heartbondings. So you might think of fundraising!
Emerald|Flame: Hexi: Will any of the packages have any of the features that many of the celebration and festival dreams have. IE: Town Meeting dream and this section of this dream, where furres aren't able to talk unless it is thier turn, and such. As such features have been kept for official DEP use in the past, but would greatly inhance things like group meetings and such.
Emerald|Flame: Emerald Flame grins, That's a new Ds command that I insisted that Felorin put in this next update and it will be available for everyone to use. Can you imagine how much nicer thigns like plays and Group events will be?
Emerald|Flame: Jocasta: Quite a simple question: I know right now it's common for people to join more than one guild/group at once, so in the group packages, will we be restricted to a membership in only one group or guild at a time, a limited amount, or unlimited?
Emerald|Flame: That's a good question. We will not restrict you to a set number of Groups you join. However, we may give Rahs the abillity to say that you can only join their guild with a paticular character or only join groups affilliated with them.
Emerald|Flame: FoxKai: Will you have to apply to a package by haveing fifteen members and applying to get a charted spot like before or does it go just by you buy the package and you get to chose an uncharterd spot? and start your guild
Emerald|Flame: Another good question. It was 10 members btw, and for the free packages you will still need ten founding members. Free packages won't be getting a reserved spot. Pay-for packages, if a dream spot is included, can just pay for it and choose a non-chartered (and a spot that is non-contested, no stealing non-chartered groups spots) and get their Group started! They can add members as they wish.
Emerald|Flame: Simseth: What if the "Dream Stays up till you unload" comes into abuse, as someone can simply make a dream called "HAHA_MY_SPOT!" And that spot can be a very hard-to-get-spot and this player is willing to pay that few bucks to do this, and also - upon entering this dream, you appear in an area just full of grass?
Emerald|Flame: To start with, reserved spots are not on the cheapest packages. You are getting prime realestate on main maps, you will have to rent that for a bit. I'd not worry too much about it. Very few furres would pay money just to be jerks and get spammed and harassed by an unforgiving community.
Emerald|Flame: Celes Chere # : Will the ability to change the name of our Groups/Guilds be available to us,if a year or so down the road we decide we no longer like the name we first purchased a Package under....and if I wished to change the name of my Current Chartered Guild,when I purchase a Package for it,would that be allowed and would I still get the discount that Current Charters are supposed to get if we upgrade....would I also have to keep my original Chartered spot or could I choose another when I make the purchase??
Emerald|Flame: That's more than one question Yes, you will be able to make changes in your spots and in your names. More important in these will be the Rah's name that they buy the package on. There will also be ways to change that too though without disolving the Group.
Emerald|Flame: Embrace It: So... you have to buy a good spot for your dream to be uploaded on? Seems a bit biast, but those who buy package deals and can upload their dreams in hot spots like in AI and FurN will have that spot forever reserved to them? (Some of us don't have a lot of money to buy first class.) Feels that some of us'll be pushed to the back of the dreams.
Emerald|Flame: A few issues here, first, the new Furabia Nights won't have a "back" as Gar and I have designed it so almost every spot is almost as good as another. Yes, you will have to *rent* your spots to keep them as your's. If you stop paying the rent, the spot is no longer yours though.
Emerald|Flame: Pervertion: Are the Group Packages everlasting, or does it have a time limit like digos?
Emerald|Flame: As I mentioned in that last answer, you are "renting" these packages. If you stop paying the monthly fee for the package the fearures will be turned off until you start paying again. While we will try to keep it so you can reinstate it all if you ahve to miss a month or two, it's best to plan ahead.
Emerald|Flame: Pecan Pie: Do you have an average amount of Dragon Scales you would need to get a middle-classed package?
Emerald|Flame: I honestly don't know what you will want or need or how Felorin will price them. I'm always pushing for lower prices However, I believe that $10 a month will get you a nice package for a dream with extra locals, tags, a dream spot and lots of goodies.
Emerald|Flame: Ky'ria Shy'tal: The Banish Commands - Will we be able to have Furres with Share use these commands,instead of just the uploader alt for the dream and would that be available to everyone or will that only be a Guild Package perk??
Emerald|Flame: Felorin has talked about making you can give Banish to others in your dream and this might very well be a low level Group Package feature.
Emerald|Flame: Kyr Enterprises: Will we have an option to buy the Group Packages as a yearly subscription,just like we do Silver Sponsorship or does it have to be a monthly subscription?? Because I am sure a lot of us would prefer the convienence of a yearly subscription,so that we don't have to do it every month??
Emerald|Flame: I had mentioned in the very long talk with way too much information, that we will probably allow the monthly fees to stack so that you can pay ahead. That's as much as i have for you for now, but I'll let Felorin know your preference
Emerald|Flame: mr.muffinforabrain waves to Emerald "Will silver and gold sponcers be able to buy better packages?"
Emerald|Flame: This is a common misconception that I've heard several times lately. Sponsors, Silver and the upcoming Gold, are not packages, they are sponsorships and something different. You won't be able to "upgrade" from Sponsor to Group Package, no, I'm sorry. They are separate. At some point we may offer some kind of deal where you get a bunch of stuff like that for one monthly fee, but no definate plans have been made for that.
Emerald|Flame: Jesto pecks at lovingly. <3 "You mentioned being grandfathered in for six months. Does this mean old-old guilds who don't pay up after that time period will lose their charters in six months?"
Emerald|Flame: That will only apply to those with charters right now, which really aren't that many. They won't lose their charter, but they will be moved down to the free charter possition.
Emerald|Flame: Barefoot Paradise: How will uncharted spots specifically be handled. My own dream has been in the same unchartered spot for almost 2 years.. Do I have any protection because Ive had it for so long? Or must I rush to quickly buy a guild package with a reserve spot so I dont lose it? Also will Guild packages remove the need for dream-titled alts? Will the Rah be able to upload it him/herself?
Emerald|Flame: We will try as much as we can to reserve spaces for those who've held them for awhile and not let charters land grab overtop. I honestly can't guarantee anything though, only that we do understand and will try.....there will always be disputes. You will still need dream titled alts, however, the Rah will be the one with the ownership of the dream, banish, share and all. The dream upload alt and other alts will get a special way of sharing that keep them in the Rah's control(forgot to mention shared alts before).
Emerald|Flame: The Kyr: You said once that there might be levels of share in the Group Packages,can you give a more exact explanation on this??
Emerald|Flame: Hmm...The Rah will decide who gets what share. Not this update but soon we will be making it so that share commands are broken up a bit more. For isntance, someone can have emit powers without having eject powers. Not sure if that will be for Packages or everyone.
Emerald|Flame: Belle: Jesto asked my question, regarding current charters and wether they'll lose their charter or not with the upcoming 'payment' plans for group packages, but just to clarify; will the 'free charter' position offer a dream spot? Will the same information be required (ten teneests, etc), or will it just be a 'pay and get it' package? ( And presumably, 'bigger' guilds won't be able to 'buy out' those with smaller packages for their spots, right? ..right?!
Emerald|Flame: No, free packages will not come with a reserved spot. Yes, you will still have to get 10 founding members for a *new* free charter, but not for old ones that move down to free.
Emerald|Flame: Thank you all for participating in Groups and Guolds Day today! We will be trying to have these every last Sat of the month. There are still some Group in their booths so go have a look. I'm going to mention a few of the groups that participated to day if you want to stay on the channel

Emerald|Flame: Atas`Cosita Strict RP furc://atascosita:landofmythlegendandchaos/ www.AtasCosita.com Atas`Cosita is a unique and long standing dice based roleplay guild. Formed in May of 2000 Atas has worked towards providing the RP community with a friendly atmosphere and helpful member roster. With rules that are easy to work yourself into and a grouping of classes that is vast we understand that there is always room for improvement and take into consideration all suggestions submitted from members to help better the roleplay experience.
Emerald|Flame: Players lookin' for good laughs, wanting to deliver them , just talk about funny things in life, play funny games or have a Battle of Wits should keep an eye on the Furcadia Comedy Club at furc://FurcadiaComedyClub/ You can also listen to their streaming comedy while you have fun in the dream! They're now hiring for all positions including radio DJs, comedians, and general dream staff. Check out their website at http://fcc.laffat.us for more information!
Emerald|Flame: The Rowling Continuity was developed to unify Harry Potter roleplay fans on Furcadia. Our goal is to provide a realistic, and interactive environment kept true to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter canon. TRC is a *closed Continuity*, and in order to join, you must pass a test to show us your roleplay skills. After your character is approved, you will be permitted to enter the roleplay dreams and roleplay with other members. As we are a *strict roleplay* continuity, our roleplay is rich in detail, and in *paragraph form *. This provides indepth interaction for our roleplayers, and we admit those that can live up to these expectations. We are the *original* strict Harry Potter roleplay guild, and continue to grow as Furcadia brings us more ways to let our imagination soar!
Emerald|Flame: The Edo Era Continuity is a Japanese-inspired, strict roleplaying guild. Our dream has what we have termed "an open-Edo era setting." This means that our dream is set in an Edo Era time period, without a specific year in place. This allows for a more diverse range of characters within the time period. We have an official time flow, so that characters do age at a steady pace, and we run on six IRL months to one IC year. Our members are friendly and helpful, and while we do have a strict application process, we are willing to counsel applicants one on one and assist them. We have a strong out of character foundation in our community, which we will continue to build with our various OOC contests, discussions, and other events.
Emerald|Flame: These Groups need to learn to send in a usuable length of text! ;p That's the shortened version!
Emerald|Flame: Daltora Kingdom Strict RP URL: www.freewebs.com/daltorakingdom Dream URL: furc://daltorakingdom:elsinoirecastle/ Description: Daltora is a six year old guild that has always placed a high importance on storyline than anything else. Although the dream takes place during the default "Dragonlands" timeframe, the guild stresses more realism with its fantasy element has slowly become one the community's most indepth and comprehensive continuities. In turn, RolePlay here is more flexible in order to allow both veterans of RP and newcomers to the genre to participate and enjoy the scenarios.
Emerald|Flame: Top Rail Equestrian Center Feral Roleplay furc://WyndlilySharphowl:TopThreadEquestrianCenter "Top Rail Equestrian Center is a thriving roleplay dream located in Allegri Island for equestrian (horse and rider) roleplay. Feral domesticated animals, such as horses, dogs, cats, and farm animals, are all welcome as well as all furres and humans. The staff is friendly, the patchwork is original, and there's roleplay forall furres. No horse experience? No problem! Our riding instructors and online Learning Center can teach you what you need to know. Visit us today!"
Emerald|Flame: The Writers Guild Social Guild Guild URL: Furc://TheWritersGuild Temporary Website [we plan on getting a real one soon]: http://www.freewebs.com/naomiwiflath/thewritersguild.htm Who we are and what we are about: Our mission is to bring together Furres who enjoy writing; To give them a place to call their own, and do things such as: Get or give indepth critiques from other members, Share their work, Recieve or give help and advice to other furres, and more! This gives furres a place to shine and demonstraite their work, and engage in events, debates and more. We are all about both Poetry and Prose, and all levels of skill are welcome here. We want the guild to become a place where furres feel safe and secure showing their work and to get good writing advice.
Emerald|Flame: Draygans Hollow Strict RP Web URL: http://www.drayganshollow.shadowsneverlie.com/index.php?go=home Dream URL: furc://drayganshollow:villageroleplay Draygans Hollow is a public guil with a large, existing player base, and we're always happy to see (and welcome) new players, whether you're new to roleplay, or consider yourself well-seasoned. We're friendly and lenient toward medieval, modern, sci fi, and fantasy elements. We allow most kinds of character species, including humans. If you're looking for a medieval looking dream, with some whacky and creative twists, feel free to swing by and get to know us. We'd love to get to know you!
Emerald|Flame: Elven Forest Freeform RP Site: http://s8.invisionfree.com/Elven_Forest/ Dream URL: furc://elvenforest:forestrp/ Elven Forest is a free form RP dream. As you enter the forest, you're greeted by some of the most unique graphics, sounds and a wonderful collection of patches to enhance your role playing experiance. Join in with other role players to act out some of your wildest fantasies or your most realistic dreams!
Emerald|Flame: Furcadia Radio Social Dream furc://furcadiaradio:furcadiaradio we are set in FurN but I am planning to move the dream to AI this weekend, we have been around for almost a year, we play all genre of music, and take any requests given. We have about 20 DJs, and our traffic in our dream in about 30-40 everyday, we're needing to promote Furcadia Radio, and hopefully get us more listeners, and let people know we're out there.
Emerald|Flame: Leirune Strict RP Url: http://www.leirune.com Leirune is a Furry Fantasy Roleplay Community operating in an original player made Strict Roleplay Continuity with a focus on creative storytelling and interaction with a hint of comedy.
Emerald|Flame: The Spirit World Social Guild? Persona Play? http://www.freewebs.com/animal-spirits. Furc://kibathewolf:membersentry The guild is for people with animal spirits ((Eg. People who beleive they have the soul of a wolf)) for all species.
Emerald|Flame: The Association of Dream Makers Help Group http://dreammakersguild.com furc://dreammakersguild/ The Association of Dream Makers is a help guild. Our Services range from answering dream related questions, to teaching classes on dream / patch / bot making, dream requests, and anything else that promotes or supports dream making.
Emerald|Flame: Unholy Slave Trade Adult RP Dream This guild is all about submission and dominance for the more mature Role-Players. We encourage adult players to come in and enjoy role plays of the more adult and graphic nature. Whether it be submission and domination or gorey fights in the arena. We premote descriptive turn based role play with consents chosen by each indavidual player rather than setting constrictive limitations to players. We do have an age restriction to 18+ and try to enforce it the best we can.
Emerald|Flame: Exclave of Coruscation Feral RP www.freewebs.com/neweoc furc://theeoc:strictferalrp/ Exclave of Coruscation (EoC) is a strict roleplaying, member-only dream made entirely for ferals. We have five distinct feral species, all varities of wolf-like creatures, each with their own set of special attributes. An easy-to-learn level up system allows to feral to have different ranked powers, and it also keeps incredibly powerful, mutated ferals from taking over. Magic exists on a must-earn basis, which you can gain access to by being active. There are constant plots going on, weekly festivals where ferals can earn prizes, and even battle competitions for those who are inclined to destruction. EoC has almost everything you could ever wish for in a feral dream, and it is constantly gaining more attributes as time goes on.
Emerald|Flame: The United Nations Space Force strict RP Webpage URL: www.Geocities.com/warrioranthro/index.htm dream url : furc://thetimberwolfiiunsfflagship:recruitingscifiroleplay/ Deep space exploration and Acquireing technology to furthur the development of earthlings Tech Level: Cybernetic [Neural Interfaces. Emotion/personality a choice. STL craft.FTL travel(only for the large capital ships).] Types of characters your group supports: All species, within reason.[I.E. skunks felines canines and even hyoomans. hybrids are welcome too ][please no Vampfurres, Mages, Weres, Alchemists][no Potions][limited psionics (telepathy, empathy, strong intuition)]
Emerald|Flame: Thank you all for particpating and have a great evening!