Vanguard Defined

Vanguard

This time round we are giving the VG teams a break from the newsletter and will focus on how a game is selected for Vanguard and then what happens when it is a horizon and then spin up team. For those that do not know what Vanguard do or are new to TAW then this should give you a rough idea. Vanguard is the very first place where the game meets TAW and TAW members get to see if the game works within The Art of Warfare.

Any game can have a chance within TAW providing it gives a team based play and allows our members to excel with Leadership, gameplay and of course teamwork. The game must have a good fan base and member base to succeed within TAW and leave vanguard.

Placing a game in Vanguard allows us to monitor its progress and to watch the team build, to guide it into the correct place and also to support the Spin Up Leader (SUL) when building the team. It is the SUL which places the first bricks down in the foundation of the building of a unit. The command structure of Vanguard are there to ensure that the game has the best opportunity to get into the TAW Army and to give guidance to the newly appointed SUL.

So how do we get a game into TAW ? I hear you ask , well the short answer is that any TAW member can put a game up for consideration (see below for the link and also the explanation of the different phases within Vanguard). The game then enters the potential games list (PGL) and then is discussed at length with VG, Army Command and CiC see below for full process. Here is the link for the form to suggest a new game

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGZvd0FIODI0MFkyLW1wZW8yczY4SHc6MQ

Now let's look at the explanations and process that each game goes through.

Potential Game
Initially VG log any games from the interest game poll to those already noted on their VG internal game list. From this the VG staff carefully review each game for it’s suitability within TAW. Even if deemed suitable, it does not guarantee a game will join the TAW ranks if there is a lack of interest within the TAW community or a suitable spin up leader cannot be found.

Horizon Team
If there is TAW interest and a spin up leader but the game has not yet been released, then providing there is a release date or at least a playable version of the game it can join Vanguard as a Horizon team.
As a Horizon team it will be open to external recruiting but not internal TAW transfers (although a couple of members will be allowed to help the development of the team.)
The main focus of a Horizon team is to prepare for the Spin up phase. This means setting the team structure, creating at least one mandatory event per week as well as appointing DIs (and maybe SOs) and getting the recruiting started.

Spin Up Team
A Spin up team is for a game that is already released or has switched over from Horizon.
As a Spin up team it is open for external recruiting as well as internal TAW transfers.
This is the main building phase for a game where it starts a massive recruiting drive and the team starts to find its shape. Inevitably there will always be ups and down with each unit in VG. However it is at this stage that future leaders are found and the training of staff go into overdrive to ensure that the team lives up to the TAW ethos and gameplay.

Launching as a division
There are various requirements that a team must fulfill to enable it to be launched out of Vanguard of which full details can be found on the Vanguard Wikis on the TAW website.
In brief it needs its full complement of staff (including SA if needed), be holding two events per week, active wiki, funds for server if needed.

Summary
In summary Vanguard is the starting place for new units in TAW. We are never strangers but part of an ever growing family of people within TAW .
When building a team it is always VG Command’s goal to ensure that we bring you well structured, suitable and fantastic new units to join your corps or into the TAW community.

We are always looking to future leaders for future games. Therefore please don't be afraid to come and chat with the VG staff about your aspirations or drop both uWardy and Kingcheese an e-mail.