And just exactly what is a clan you ask? It is simply a team. A group of players who form a team and play regularly together, developing strategy based on their specific strengths, skills and even their connections. Clans vary enormously in regards to the character of the players involved. If you happen to have some bad experiences with one clan, don't think that they are all the same. Also don't think all clan members in the same clan are exactly alike as well. One misbehaving clan member can bring dishonor to a clan, but that doesn't mean the entire clan is that way.
You may have heard a lot of horror stories about clans, and some of them may even have been true. But don't let that dissuade you from trying one out. I have forged deep friendships with most all the members of both clans. If you can't really call a clan mate a friend, then it's not much of a clan in my opinion.
Anyway, there is no set of rules or guide lines for forming a clan. Just try to pick a cool name that has not already been taken and go for it. Set up a web page where you can make yourselves known, present your views, and a place of contact. Set up weekly practices and schedule scrimmages with other clans. Practice as a team, play as a team. You won't stand a chance if you don't cooperate between your selves. You have to set up players to hold certain positions on offense and defense depending on the class they play and their skills. Learn the different maps inside and out. Learn to communicate well through team messages and chat. Above all, practice how you play and play how you practice.
There are plenty of clans out there looking for players, don't think you have to go right out and start your own clan. To run a successful clan takes a lot of work and patience. You have to deal with other clans to set up matches, arrange a workable schedule for all members. Handle internal disputes. It is simpler to just join a clan and be a grunt! But if you think you have the leadership abilities it takes, then by all means, give it a try. Just make sure you make a firm commitment as you will have a lot of clan mates depending on you to make them competitive and a force to be reckoned with.
We have a few sources for clan info right here at PlanetFortress. Such as our Clan Announcements in our forums.
Public games are a whole different ball Game. They shouldn't be, but they are. If you are lucky, you will find certain servers that seem to draw regular crowds, and they have more of a tendency to cooperate with each other. They also have a tendency to discourage foul playing and unsportsman like conduct.
I think the main thing to keep in mind is that a lot of rules of courtesy and clean play will be neglected here. Try to play by Bundy's Code of Honor -- fair play, honor, and sportsmanship. A vast majority of servers go unadministered for the most part. You should try not to over react when things get out of hand and accusations start flying. Try to reason with those trying to ruin the game or are just not playing as a team. If you see a player wearing a clan tag who is ruining the game, try to find out what clan it is and try to contact the clan leader to make them aware of that members actions. If you get nowhere, just move on to another server.
We haven't really come up with a way to handle those who constantly strive to ruin other players games. It has been under consideration in the TF community for quite some time and is constantly being worked on. Report any obvious cheats you see to us here at PF and we will see that they are brought to the attention of Valve. Other than that, just try to get along, and try to help with the solution to a problem instead of becoming part of the problem your selves.
The first thing to say about rules, is that there is practically no way to enforce them. Especially on a public server. In clan matches, it can be done as long as the clans agree on the rules. What I am mostly referring to here are simple rules of conduct. How to act on a server. Presumably, you were taught how to behave in your real life, and the same should hold true in online gaming.
How can you justify destroying someone else's fun by disrupting a game they are trying to enjoy? How do you justify being rude or belligerent just because you are not face to face with your adversary? To me there is no excuse, and no way to justify it. A lack of respect for other players is inexcusable. Being rude and disrespectful is a sure sign of not being able to handle the privilege you are given by being able to interact with all those who are able to get online.
Think about what you are doing before you over react to situations. Don't just jump the gun and start cussing or worse yet, return rude behavior with the same. Try to consider the other players who are not even involved who's game you could very well be ruining. If you get enjoyment out of making other players miserable and destroying others fun, then you have no place in our community and eventually, your miss deeds will catch up with you. You may find your self a total outcast and ostracized form the community. Think about it. Right now there is no user accountability, but someday, perhaps, you may find yourself on the outside looking in...
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