UGT and the Gleemax Advisory Board...

[Scott_Rouse]

OK, this is just a rant, but is it too late to change the name of this new website to something other than Gleemax? Almost anything else would be better.

Nice list of advisors, by the way!

Ken

Ken I posted this on another thread about the name

I was involved in the naming process. We looked at hundreds of names. It was a pain in the butt to find a name. We looked at a lot of names that tried their best to say "the home for gamers". We wanted names like gamespot.com (taken) or gamers.com (taken) that could do the job but they are pretty much all gone. Every year tens of thousands of words are trademarked and URLs are impossible to secure without paying squaters to get control of a name. So we decided to go with a made up name. Made up names like Wii, Google, Ebay, etc are easier to secure a trademark and URL but have no meaning to consumers so the name must be given meaning with marketing. Gleemax is a made up name, that we could secure both a trademark and URL on, and we new we would have an easier time giving it meaning du to the history of the name as a) made up by the community b) having an established association with an audience of the types of gamers we want to reach with the site (in this case MTG players). Is it a great name? I guess time will tell. The name brand name Coca-Cola alone is now valued at about $60 billion dollars.

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Sorry, Scott. I often use the formal form when speaking about or to industry professionals, to show some respect for their position. Doubly so when I may be disagreeing with them. I often refer to Mr. Cook and Mr. Gygax, too, so I certainly wasn't intending to condescend. But, if you prefer Scott, I'll try to remember to use it in the future

No need for the apology. I appreciate the formality but with me it's not needed. It is sort of like when people come to job interview at Wizards wearing a suit and tie. I appreciate the formality but it is totally un-necessary. The only time people wear suits at wotc is 1) the day they interview 2) on Halloween when they dress up as Agent Smith, 3) at the company Holiday party

 

[blargney the second]

I think it's a great idea to have laygamers on the board. There's a reason why it's a fairly common thing for businesses and charities to do the same thing with their board of directors - it's a winning move. In this case it also doubles as a marketing strategy, so the site is getting extra mileage out of it.

 

[der_kluge]

WoTC should put folks like me on the board - who, if a better RPG system came along, would switch in a heartbeat. Or, folks who have been involved, either past or currently, in re-writing D&D.

We're D&D's biggest critics.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

So are the positions open to non-US residents Scott?

Olaf the Stout

 

[Scott_Rouse]

So are the positions open to non-US residents Scott?

Olaf the Stout

I don't know the answer but I will try and find out tomorrow. I know some others have asked as well.

 

[Maggan]

WoTC should put folks like me on the board - who, if a better RPG system came along, would switch in a heartbeat. Or, folks who have been involved, either past or currently, in re-writing D&D.

We're D&D's biggest critics.

Maybe that would be a good idea if it was a D&D advisory board. I'm not so sure if harsh critics of D&D would add a crucial viewpoint for Gleemax advisory board.

Maybe if there's a D&D Digital Initiative advisory board. Maybe.

/M

 

[Mercule]

Reading the post on the process, I actually think this sounds like a fair process. The first couple rounds of online testing are there to vett the applicants and ensure they have a clue about gaming. Once that's out of the way, I'm sure the next few rounds will be more meaningful. Don't forget that the last "test" is a face-to-face interview. That'll weed out people who are smart but hostile (or whatever).

I've got faith that WotC knows how to run a fire-hose job application process well. They got Eberron out of their setting search, at it's a great setting (IMO). Even if you don't like the specific tropes of Eberron, Keith sure seems to be a great guy and incredibly creative. I'm sure whoever comes out of this process will be a good addition to the board.

And, Scott, I understand what you're saying about the name. I registered my own domain a couple years back (mainly just for email), and it was a pain finding a name that didn't sound completely goofy. I still have my doubts that Gleemax was a great choice (it still isn't growing on me), but I understand where you're coming from.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I don't know the answer but I will try and find out tomorrow. I know some others have asked as well.

Great. Thanks.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Great. Thanks.

Olaf the Stout

Sorry mate, residents of USA and Canada only.