I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and continuing to stay safe. I promised at the TFO meeting recently that I would communicate our intentions for the website as soon as possible, and that day is finally here. Since March we’ve embarked on a mission to bring about the new website to TAW, and have taken several approaches to find suitable options. In brief we have looked internally at how we can manage this ourselves, we’ve looked at fully outsourcing it, a combination of those things, and we’ve looked at whether we could update the look and feel of our existing website, whilst keeping the same complex backend. One thing that I must stress is how much respect I have gained for our website, I had no idea of how complex our member management, events management and onboarding/unit management was. TAW 2.0 is better referred to as a piece of software, rather than a website, and that means that the next iteration needs to be able to do the same, and more.
I’m really excited to tell you that we’ve chosen the right option for the community, and work has already begun. Our new website is being developed in-house by a team led by Samblues over in DEVOP. Over the past few months I’ve witnessed the formation (from scratch) of a backend system, something that previous teams have never been able to develop. This is the fundamental structure that underpins TAW’s management platform, and allows the website to grow on top. Work is happening at pace, and just last night I was treated to the first concept milestone demo, registering myself as a new user, being added to a unit and seeing how the back end now handles my credentials and permissions across the system. We’ve never gotten this far before, not since TAW 2.0 was developed.
The objective of this project is that this should be our last website, never should we find ourselves in this position again. All work is being done on familiar commercial coding specifications, using standards that are used in the industry today. We’ve got some great minds coming together on this, and the future of this unit will be embedded into TAW with a view to continue enhancing it naturally, rather than letting it sit still until it needs replacing. We are at the first major milestone, so we’ve still got a long way to go until the initial launch, but I cannot stress enough how impressed I am with the pace that this project is moving. I can’t wait to share more with you all over the next few months as this thing takes shape, so keep your eyes peeled.
Maverick
We have been putting a lot of work into developing a system for Crossroads and are happy to finally kick it off!
What Crossroads is for: Drastically improve TAW's retention!
More information about the structure of Crossroads, transfers and open positions can be seen below. It is important to mention that this is a project, and we are ready to adapt if needed. For further input or ideas, feel free to leave a comment in the forum post:
Crossroads
Crossroads will be open for transfers for anyone interested in joining the unit. A reminder that all transfer requests need to be sent up through their COC.
Anyone can request a transfer into Crossroads via their COC and stick with us for upto 6 months to explore their next steps in TAW. Members will be able to either join the Dynamic Game Squad (DGS) or a specific game unit with at least 2-3 other members with one of them being a Squad Leader. The DGS play different games on a monthly basis, this game is voted on by the members. Their list of games will feature free to play games and games in beta/early access that are accessible and not already featured in TAW. We expect members to follow the code of ethics, communicate with staff and attend events. Participation in events is to the same standard of the rest of TAW but we do allow and encourage members to participate in other units' events as taster sessions as long as they have notified their COC in Crossroads. However, we do offer a more relaxed environment and do not expect members to step up other than being squad leader unless they wish to, or actively focus on recruiting.
Please visit the attached link for further information into Crossroads, if interested.
Crossroads Division Overview
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Hello TAW,
Many of you have probably already seen the new corps months ago, but there was a lot of confusion about what it was actually for. In short: Pathfinder is about starting new projects and innovating.
We currently have 2 divisions in Pathfinder - the current ideas and plans of them are explained below. Our plan is to officially launch the projects over the next week and open up our units to everyone. But before that, there are a few things to consider, and YOU may be able to help us with that!
What was originally called "Casual Gaming" has recently been renamed to "Crossroads". It is shorter and smoother.
But "Pathfinder" and "Outreach" still sound kind of dull. Do you have any awesome ideas for names, and potentially designs? If yes, please leave a comment in the forum post.
We are currently looking to fill various positions in our divisions within Pathfinder. These are for both the Outreach and Crossroads Divisions. Members joining these divisions will have the opportunity to help shape and structure these units as they continue to develop into fully operational units within TAW.
"Carpe Omnia"
As some of you may have noticed, there is a new division under Pathfinder Command! The Outreach Division has been recently established, and with that, we are on the lookout for someone who believes they are up for the task of being Division Officer.
But before you apply, know what we do here in Outreach. The goal of the Outreach Division is to reach out to developers of various upcoming games across the board and initialize first contact, and from this contact, gain access to opportunities that can be mutually beneficial to TAW and the development team.
As such, we are looking for individuals with keen eyes and with knowledge of various game genres, as well as being able to keep a secret or two.
"I stood at a crossroads, and fate came to meet me"
Crossroads is the recently rebranded Casual Gaming Division. The aim is to help with member retention by giving members the opportunity, time and support to find a suitable home within TAW when they find themselves at a Crossroads. This will allow members to join and play various different games, swapping between them that are not official divisions within TAW. Additionally members will be able to partake in other Division's events on an adhoc basis.
Crossroads will offer a relaxed environment with limited expectations of members having to step up, allowing members to play and explore their games whilst being supported by Crossroads Staff. This is in contrast to the Pioneer Division which is more self-reliant on members with direct support from Vanguard staff and has a direct focus on recruitment and growth with the intention of the team to progress to Vanguard Horizon.
If so, then please complete the following google form and we will get back to you. We will be inviting successful candidates to an interview. The basic information questions are mandatory but the others are not. So please put as much or little information as you feel comfortable sharing.
https://forms.gle/3MEGtd8JU4m4Y8L67
You can also join the discussion and put forth your thoughts in the forum post:
Pathfinder Update Forum Post
As all already noticed on the website and Team-speak one of the new projects in TAW and Pathfinder Corps is the casual gaming division.
We in Pathfinder Command are looking for a member of TAW that could lead this division and work with us and army command to create a
new and succesfull division in TAW.
The purpose of the casual gaming division is to establish a unit where members could transfer to when their unit closes down.
In that way we can give the members the time to search for a new game within TAW. The other purpose of the unit is member
retention. Normally when a unit closes down we give members less time to make up their mind.
Send a email to Subrat or me if you are interested in a position in casual gaming division.
With Regards
tazmanian
Pathfinder Lt. Commander
MrSurprise has been a consistently positive force in Recruiting Division since his arrival.
He has maintained high energy, dedication, and activity, and has been instrumental in
implementing several critical processes and initiatives to support Recruiting Division's goals.
He has created essential new templates and documents, been a constant presence at official meetings,
and dutiful in carrying out assigned duties. His efforts have brought credit upon himself, Recruiting Division, and TAW.
leave a word on his medal: here
I would like to give a congratz on his promotion to DO and the rank of Major.
With his help the last month and recommendations of staff we made that descision.
We think he will do well in this position.
Thank you all that, upcomming Sunday the 31th of January at 21:00 CET the new CiC will be announced
Commander in Chief
General of TAW
Election Chairman
Greetings TAW:
It is time to vote!
The election of the new CIC is currently in progress. Members of rank PFC and above, who are not on leave, and are in good standing are allowed to vote. Please follow the link below to the candidate dossiers and the link to cast your vote at the bottom of the page. Voting remains open for another 24 hours and will end tomorrow January 26 at 22:4545 CET/ 16:45EST.
If you get an error clicking the link, you must login to the website first to be able to view the page.
http://taw.net/wikis/2021election/a-look-at-the-candidates.aspx
Scroll down the page to cast your vote
Thank you for your time,
IT'S TIME TO VOTE
The election of the new CIC has begun. Members of rank PFC and above, who are not on leave, and are in good standing are allowed to vote. Please follow the link below to the candidate dossiers and the link to cast your vote at the bottom of the page. Voting remains open for 48 hours, another email will follow in 24 hours as a reminder and then the polls will be closed at the 48 hour mark on Tuesday January 26.
Before the meeting has concluded the Election Chairman will call for the voting to open and announce that members have 48 hours to vote.
Voting results should only be accessible to the Election Chairman and the Election Officers. At the close of voting the Election Officers and Election Chairman will meet and agree on the results. The Election Chairman will package a screenshot of the result and send it to the designated person for record retention. This designated person is decided by the previous CIC before the election process starts. In the case the previous CIC is incapacitated, this will default to a unanimous decision by members of Army Command and Operation Command. Raw voting results should be deleted from the database and the screenshots stored securely on the primary server.In the event that a tie develops and there is not a clear winner, a new vote must take place with only the tied candidates. Any new vote should immediately follow the close of voting after a TAW wide announcement by the Election Chairman and be open for 48 hours. Following the conclusion of voting the poll will be removed.
Hi all,
Thanks to everyone that has submitted entries for consideration, a huge amount of time and effort was given over for free, and the end result is impressive!
We will now go ahead and vote - we're considering three aspects.
1. The shape of the actual logo - do we change it or keep the same?
2. The colour and texture applied to that logo.
3. The Mascots which will be used on some of the Shop clothing.
The link is here.
We'll keep it open past next weekend before taking on the next steps.We'll likely work with small groups of members to try out some ideas before settling on the final image, so there's more work to be done, but we're well on the way.
Welcome to the Arena!
We are setting up a new TAW tournament in preparation for the TAW Apex Legends Clan Wars where each team will run 5 matches and will be awarded points based the parameters listed below.
Every member of TAW is welcome and encouraged to participate, we will be setting up a signup sheet in the forums and shooting for a tournament date of 20/11/2020 "13:00 EST / 19:00 GMT+2
The tournament is going to be kept within private servers. So please show up 30 minutes prior to start of the tournament for organizing. Remember not to share the codes with anyone else outside of the participants.
Apex Legends is a free-to-play Battle Royale' style game that pits 60 players in squads of 3 against each other in a race against the clock for the ultimate prize to become Champions of the Arena!
In Apex Legends you choose one of 13 Legends, each with a unique backstory and a specific set of skills and abilities to aid your team to the final circle, you will need to think fast and make split second decisions to stay alive.
You start by jumping out of the drop ship and selecting one of the many locations on the map to find loot. Once you hit the ground, its a mad dash to find the best Armor, Guns, and Equipment hidden in loot chests and scattered around on the ground. But, don't expect the same tier loot every time you pick one location as the loot spawns are varied and you could end up getting stuck with low tier loot.
Get a kill, and you can loot that players death box for better tier loot and ammunition. But be careful, take too long looting one box and get sniped from across the map by one of the legendary sniper drops the game spawns randomly throughout the match.
If you go down, your team can revive you or if need be, collect your death box banner and re-spawn you at one of the re-spawn beacons located around the map.
But beware, if you are re-spawned into the arena you will be completely stripped of any loot you collected and must find something to defend yourself with quickly because other teams can see the respawn ship coming in and will be on the hunt for an easy kill.
The following point system will be used:
Placement Points:
25 Increments:
--------------
1st Place: 250 points
2nd Place: 225 Points
3rd Place: 200 points
4th Place: 175 Points
5th Place: 150 Points
6th Place: 125 Points
7th Place: 100 Points
8th Place: 75 Points
9th Place: 50 Points
10th Place: 25 Points
Kill Point System:
------------------
10 Point per Kill
Squad Damage Count for Tie-Breaker
Teams of 3, with 1 reserve
Game Mode - Battle Royale
If you cannot attend and have signed up please let APL staff know, as soon as possible.
If you are signed up as a group, and come time to play, one of your members has failed to show up, it is your responsibility to find a proper replacement, or your team will be disqualified.
Games are to be recorded or streamed with a member of TFO or an AL as referee's.
Code of Ethics are to be reflected at all times when playing
All screenshots from the matches need to be saved for 14 days from the date the tournament ended. The admin team has the right to request the screenshot at any time within these 14 days.
The Team or Solo sign-up is: NOW OPEN.
If you have any questions please direct them to one of the Apex Staff Members: ROYALTea, MMG
Prepare for Battle!
Dear all,
First of all can I thank everyone for showing up to our meeting tonight. We have an exciting few months ahead, starting with the launch of the new shop with added high quality merch, followed by our 20th Anniversary, and the new website.
Couple of examples of the new shop:
https://www.craniumapparel.co/product-category/havoc-gaming/
https://www.craniumapparel.co/product-category/midnight-gaming/
https://www.craniumapparel.co/product-category/replenish-hq/
As you can see, we're going to get a really high quality shop - so combined with the new website we need to ask ourselves if now is the right time to look at our logo, and potentially make the change to pave the way for these new features.
So what do I want? We need to provide a basic logo (like the one on our website), and a "Mascot" logo. I've created a folder for these so that you can see what is being proposed as it happens. Link here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nL909p5z66AB6p8NYZCw8it5MdAiX0Jj?usp=sharing
We're inviting members with any artistic ability to submit either primary logo suggestions or Mascot logos via email to me on mavericksabre@taw.net. I will put them into the folder.
We will have another meeting in two weeks to review, vote on them, and then the top 2-3 will go forward to the Top 5 and board for final consideration.
Tabs will be handed out to anyone that puts forward a suggestion, with medals for those that end up with a TAW logo running in the end. And don't worry about creating a Vector graphic, no matter the format (even crayon!) we will have the final result translated if it makes the final 3.
Any questions please ask!
Thanks,
Mav