What are GameSpot Unions?
GameSpot Unions are community-run, community-governed content-driven Web sites covering a variety of topics, whose goal is to help inform, entertain, and connect the community. GameSpot makes it easy for members of its community to set up and operate Unions. So if you've ever wanted to make your voice heard online but haven't wanted to go through the trouble and expense of setting up your own domain, GameSpot Unions are for you.
Can I make a union on anything?
A GameSpot union can be centered around anything as long as it adheres to the GameSpot's Terms of Use. Good topics are unions centered around games, a specific game series, hobbies and much more. It's advised to have a good knowledge of the topic that you choose, however.
How do I start a GameSpot Union?
To be eligible to form a union, aspiring leaders must meet the following requirements:
- not currently be the leaders of any Union
- not have been leaders of any Unions in the past 30 days
- be GameSpot paid subscribers
- be at least level 6 or higher on GameSpot.
Leaders must also have a minimum of four other members who would be willing to run the union with you, although inviting more is recommended because the invite system is known to sometimes not send out charter requests. If a invite is not sent out, then you will need to wait a week, kick everyone from the union then resign yourself. This should take you back to the previous step. Potential charter members must:
- not have helped form another Union in the past 30 days
- be a GameSpot subscriber
- or be at least level 3 or higher on GameSpot.
Because a union is community based, a leader is expected to have other members interested in the subject also on hand. While it is possible to choose charter members who have little interest in the union, it is advised against; leaders who take the bulk of the work on their own or who simply want a union just to have a union are more likely to fail than those who are interested and hardworking members who wish to run a union.
Should you meet these requirements, then you can start the set-up process by visiting this page. These requirements have been placed in order to have a degree of quality when it comes to the union system. If your level is not high enough but you want to experience unions anyways, then you can join one of the many unions that have already been set up. You can browse the various unions by visiting the GameSpot Union Directory.
How can people find my union?
A union is like a mini website so getting the word of it's existence is needed for it to succeed. Unions may be advertised by posting a thread about your union in the GameSpot Unions/Teams/Guild Recruitment board, by linking to it directly in your signature or blog or the GameSpot Union Directory. Officially sanctioned or GameSpot-endorsed Unions may be pointed to prominently from GameSpot's pages pertaining to specific game titles. Any Unions relevant to specific game titles may also be promoted from the context of GameSpot gamespaces.
What can a union leader do?
As a Union leader, you're free to fully customize your very own Union, such as by giving it a unique name and banner. You'll also be able to post updates and articles to your Union's home page, moderate your Union's very own message board, promote (and demote) officers and recruits, and set a variety of preferences. Being a leader does not make you a moderator so you will not have the option to actually moderate anyone. Please continue to report any rule breaking to the Gamespot moderators.
What is expected of a Union Leader?
Being a union leader is a volunteer position. GameSpot will host your mini website, free of charge, and you, as the leader of your mini community, can do whatever you want with it. But keep in mind that the harder you work the more it will pay off in the end. If you put time into developing a helpful, informative union then more people will be inclined to use it. If you build a friendly and supportive community then more people will be drawn to the discussion that your union produces.
Are unions exempt from the rules?
Having a union does not mean anything goes or that you are the highest authority. GameSpot moderators and administrators have much higher authority and can choose to moderate users and can even delete the union if they find that it's breaking the Terms of Use to a heavy extent. A union is allowed to use the message board and the Article tool as long as it serves a purpose. Breaking the rules is not tolerated anywhere on GameSpot and a union does not become exempt from that fact.
What's the chain of command in a union?
- Leader: The founder of a Union automatically becomes its leader. The leader has administrative access over the Union and may determine access levels for other Union members. The leader may transfer leadership status to one of his officers.
- Officer: Before a Union is formed, its charter must be signed by at least four or as many as eight individuals selected by the prospective Union leader. These charter members become the Union's officers, and by default, they have access to contribute to the Union's content, as well as other abilities. The Union leader may elect to grant officers more or less power, including the ability to appoint additional officers.
- Recruit: A member of a Union is called a recruit. Recruits may have limited status and abilities within a Union, but they gain whatever benefit there is to be found in being affiliated with that Union. A Union may have an unlimited number of recruits. Depending on the Union leader's preferences, recruitment to a Union may either by automated or by application.
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