Soban Force www.sobanforce.com is a clan in Homeworld, Homeworld 2 and several other games. We are a group of gamers who have come together over the years as both a group of friends and competitive gamers looking for that edge.

Typically we meet up in the lobby of the game and then create a game from there, typically a game would be something along the lines of SF v 2 or SF v 4.

Clans seem to work best when they're created by the users for the users and don't require extensive input to the software itself...

I'm sure Guru clan will be well represented in sins. I look forward to kicking some BDU arse myself, hopefully PSA will be around too, they were always a fun sort to beat down

Having a dedicated either publish or developer hosted Ladder would be really nice. If for example, Ironclad creates a system where you can track matches between clan members on an online site (having both parties report is easiest/safest to prevent fakings) it would be a boon to the entire group of clans and competitive players.

some sort of clan status board that is access within the game lobby as a mini-browser and players can flip through the different clans that have registered

Have the Following..

Clan Emblem

Clan Leader
Clan Officials
Clan Members
about the clan
recruitment procedure
links to website
statistics on games

Also a in-lobby messageboard is important too. I know you can use forums but not every clan player visits forums.

the ingame chat is an absolute must, where else do we flame and start wars?

Also, BDU still lives, over at BDU

I'd prefer a more Universal Conquest type of league to play in. We don't know the complete game cannon, but there should be a set universe of systems and territories, so why not run a server automation that tracks wins losses in comparison to the known universe, then adjust territories depending upon wins/losses. The winner I suppose being the clan/alliances that manage to take over the entire galaxy/universe.

That appeals to me far more than simple ladder matches.

Of course, there would have to be requirements for a clan to be formed, or else anyone and their neighbor would start making clans.

I don't think that's really a problem. Making a clan should be easy. I don't see a problem with "anyone and their neighbor" making clans. So what if there are a hundred little 2-man clans? They will be lost in obscurity at the bottom of the list while the real players take their places at the top.

Of course maybe it would be a good idea for a required minimum number of members to qualify for the ladder because it would be way too easy for 2 or 3 really good players to make their own tiny clan and dominate a ladder structure.

BDU does still exist...

I hear this strange rumor on occasion, but don't believe it

Anyways, I think the hoards of 2-man clans that disappear after 1 day must be prevented. An official clan support mechanism would be nice, in terms of sharing stats and tracking overall clan stats. Also, clanners could share team logos or ship badges via their clan console, IF these are even in the game. Ranks could be designated. If a clan leader was defeated it might hurt the clan stats more than if a normal clan member were defeated... or a special icon/tag is granted the other clan/person.

Require players to have several games on their stats before being able to join a clan. Require a checkbox in the player profile to be ticked "yes" to allow clan invites. Require clan invites to a player, then the player accepts that invite to join up... this prevents players spamming a clan, and clans spamming players with invites both.

Allow leadership transferral, and clan name changes without making a whole new clan

Differentiate "Clan Battle Stats" from "Clan Total Stats" from "Clan Internal Stats" in that one is for tracking games where only clan members ally on one side. One is for a summation of all clan members' individual stats. One is for internal member vs. member games and is NOT counted in a players' total win/loss stats nor the clans total stats.

Being able to access this forum from within the game is a Must! It makes life easier and you dont have to alt tab out.

Wedge-HG wrote: I don't think that's really a problem. Making a clan should be easy. I don't see a problem with "anyone and their neighbor" making clans. So what if there are a hundred little 2-man clans? They will be lost in obscurity at the bottom of the list while the real players take their places at the top. Of course maybe it would be a good idea for a required minimum number of members to qualify for the ladder because it would be way too easy for 2 or 3 really good players to make their own tiny clan and dominate a ladder structure.

don't forget about solo players who never take interest in joining a clan allot of those players really dominate on ladders as well. As for matching players to players of same skill level thats kinda boring IMO I would rather fight someone who will hand me my arse on a silver platter. Thats the only way I will ever get as good if you play lower or same skill level players all the time you will stay at the same level I guess skill match could be good for ladder and tournament games tho.

Clan creation should be an earned right. One should have something like a 90% or higher personal victory score with the AI on normal given the default variables. Additionally there could always be tables adjusted for different settings. I'm sure you guys get the idea. Shoot SD and IG could create a "Clan Leader" mini campaign and anyone who beats it with certain predefined stats gets a special screen telling them they are worthy and asks if they are ready to take on the challenge of forming a clan.

I also belief that the clan's domain should to some degree be approved by SD and IG in so much as it may become associated with the franchise and all that goes with that and what not -etc... Moreover something like this also creates a qualified focus group that has lots of benefits for players and developers if properly cultivated that I'm sure I need not explain as well.

I dont support anything that is time based as part of the criteria for selection. Playing "beat the clock" adds nothing to this type of game in my opinion and has many draw backs.

On a side note, the word "clan(s)" is old and I think played out in popular media. How about we use a different word to reflect the culture of Sins as well as the combative nature and to simply spice things up a bit? For example I was thinking "totemism". This is so given the nature of the factions as well as the lore I have read so far about the game.

OK if you were arguing an attrition aspect then I wholeheartedly support it however I think your arguing a grinder model. So since the current system/build does not allow for a "timed war" and I inherently dont like grinders for obvious reasons my position has not changed for what it is worth, not that it is important to the developers.