Curse

November Raine · Oct 27, 2005, 02:42 PM // 14:42

hehe, I finally got the ecto's i need :-)

now i play...the waiting game woohooo jk ^_^

hehe i hope i get in

*bump for the morning*

November Raine · Oct 27, 2005, 02:46 PM // 14:46

oh, by the way

if any officers, LBSRA members, or any one else for that matter would like to talk to me I'm free all week

on vacation-ign November Raine heh imagine that

Mindcrime · Oct 27, 2005, 08:52 PM // 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melkor of ZoSo

Anyone? Ascalon -> Ascencion Trials? How much woudl tha tbe?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myo Ka

I think it is about 100k, but do not take my word for it completely, Lady would know it better then I

100k...

Sergio Leone · Oct 27, 2005, 10:59 PM // 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by capitalist

I have seen this mentioned and heard different people talk about the tuition costs and the cost of materials. Tuition is required to join, while materials are suggestions (albeit strong suggestions), and not required to join. I am a very successful runner, able to complete any run consistently, and I use a MAJOR Vigor and MAJOR Absorbtion. You can craft a 15>50 Sword at Droknars for 5k, add a 10/9 Sundering or Furious Hilt for 5k-10k, a +28 health pommel for 5k-10k, a -2e/-2s req10 Wooden Buckler for 10k, or any number of other ways to decrease your cost. The fact is you do not have to have any of this stuff, but it helps.

Well that would definately help, but still for the slow income of cash that I recieve I'm not completely satisfied with the idea of joining. I guess I'm just a cheapie. Anyways if I get the opporutunity I think I'll take it. I shall just have to gathers those ectos

Kais Unduli · Oct 27, 2005, 11:12 PM // 23:12

I must admit, I'm very interested in this. Just gotta raise the ectos (I have 1 now, lousy drop rates are my best friend in UW), and then I'll be sending in my application.

knoll · Oct 27, 2005, 11:22 PM // 23:22

i think one thing that i would would think make people join even more if you supply the shields and runes. Ex. you would be supply them with the 45 -2 stance shield and the runs, but maybe just minor or major runes and if they want to have better ones they buy it, but add an extra ecto on. This would make it so they wont have to go find that shield or spend the time to buy the runes. I do see that this academy is doing quite well with that but that is just my say in these academy. IMO this is an excellent academy and i would want to join some day.

gotenks · Oct 28, 2005, 01:35 AM // 01:35

This is what I posted when I first saw this thread about 50 days ago.. I got no reply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotenks

Nice idea LBS. Runners do need some kind of recognition. Too many scammers out there on both runner and customer side. I think running is a really fun aspect of GW.It is a designed feature of the game( I read this in some interview) and I hate it when people vilify runners. I myself enjoy it a lot and although I am not a pro runner, I can do fast runs to most places(except citadel/copperhammer). I find that beacons->droks(after 9/29) and the southern shiverpeaks runs take real skill and patience. All others are just about not getting lost.

Its good that you are sharing your knowledge of the game for 15 ectos which is about 5-6 runs for a graduate from the academy at this point. But how many people can join the academy before they start to compete among themselves? Because if you are not at beacons advertising you are missing out on the crucial first time customers, people who have heard of droknars forge but have never been there. The first runner who runs them will almost certainly get a PM for a run on their second character. And people who are willing to pay the amounts you listed are select few in numbers compared to the numbers who want to join your academy. Therefore to ensure the financial future of your students I suggets you put a limit on the number of people who get to join your academy, or else I see a break in supply/demand chain and then everyone in beacons will be trained by you and will run for tips.

Here is somebody who wants to join LBSA but is apprehensive for the same concerns that I mentioned in my post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio Leone

It seems there quite a number of people joining the academy. I congratulate you on its success. My question though is that with all these people joining, although cetified upon graduation, will they be getting to run anyone? It seems that the majority of people will want the runs from the people they know like The Blurr, Lady Blue Steel, Orchid, and Nokia. Is there any gurantee if they graduate from the academy and begin to work for you that they will recieve enough runs to make the 100k per hour you claim to be making?

And here is the reply for him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Steel

Admission to the Academy is standardized for everyone, so 15 ecto would be the same "investment sacrifice" as approximately 45 shards. Though the value of ecto fluctuates, so does the ebb and flow of the demand for running services and the value of items and everything else. I would not encourage people to try to time their application to the Academy in such a way as to minimize the value of the ecto tuition, and I would also not encourage people to join the Academy hoping to strike it rich. While it is true that many Academy graduates and leaders have made tens of millions of gold in the past with running services, there are no guaruntees with any business, and in an economy where almost no one is making money and items are selling for a fraction of what they used to sell for, there is incredible interest in possible avenues of making money in the game (such as running), but less ability of customers to pay for the services we provide. I encourage people to join the Academy if they want to learn the secrets, learn how I did it, and hang out with exceptionally skilled runners and play with us in PvP and PvE activities. I still believe there are untold fortunes to be made in the game, even in a slow economy, and especially when the game economy improves, but that consideration should not be the primary motivation for applying to the Academy.

From the start of this thread there was one message made clear to the people. Joining this guild is the fast and sureshot way of earning ingame gold. This was gauranteed because the build for running was tested and Blue Steel stood as a role model with 4 FoW armor chars and lots of ingame gold. Early on the idea was perfect and I could have bet all of my ingame gold on the fact that someone could earn his/her 15 ecto fee back in 5-6 hrs of running(as 1st mentioned in my 1st post). But now that gaurantee no longer exists. As the game grows old the number of new people joining in will decrease. This is something that LBS has pointed out directly/indirectly in many threads on PC/Sell forums.

So whats my point here?

In the current game economy and its most probable future this guild/Idea can no longer gaurantee its new customers what it advertised. If more and more people join this guild then they will impede upon the income of its existing members which will result in further violation of agreement among LBS and its customers.

I make the above point because joining this guild is like an trade between LBS and the person joining. 15 ectos for a steady source of ingame gold. If that agreement is breached and the explanation offered is as stated above

LBS "I encourage people to join the Academy if they want to learn the secrets, learn how I did it, and hang out with exceptionally skilled runners and play with us in PvP and PvE activities. I still believe there are untold fortunes to be made in the game, even in a slow economy, and especially when the game economy improves, but that consideration should not be the primary motivation for applying to the Academy"

then a person is being charged 15 ectos for joining a guild. And if I recall correctly some guilds have been suspended in the past for doing the same.

Be that as may I would not hold LBS responsible for any of this. As a frequent visitor of these forums I feel that blue steel is a respected member of GW community for the sheer enginuity of her ideas and the amount of time/effort she spends in sharing them with us on various forums. I feel that it is the responsibility of the members of LBSRA to understand all of this and take action to protect the investment that they have made interms of time/money. What LBS is doing is getting royalty for her invention and she is perfectly entitled to do that imo.

PS : All of my comments are an observation that I have made over the past 2 months with repect to the game's economy and the proceedings of this thread. I do not intend in anyway to target anyone specific in this matter. I am merely stating my opinion on things as I see them.

Blue Steel · Oct 28, 2005, 03:58 AM // 03:58

Interesting post, gotenks, but please keep in mind the analogy: this is an Academy. You may go to Harvard business school and sign up when the economy is hot and dot com jobs abound where people can graduate and get a six figure salary right out of school, but by the time you personally graduate, the economy is bad enough that you cannot get a job. Should Harvard stop teaching? Of course not: in a cyclical economy, things always improve. Does Harvard say: at some point there will be enough graduates that we can close our doors forever? Of course not. Many people who join have joined just for the thirst for knowledge. Others have joined purely to play PvP/UW/FoW with us and are incidentially interested in running as a hobby, but mostly like being in an active, committed guild.

The important things to remember are five: (1) the dying game economy and even running economy is not a result of the number of people in the Academy, but a function of the decreasing numbers of new people joining the game and the design changes/improvements that (i) sink gold faster with chests, (ii) provide cheap green alternatives to flawless gold items, and (iii) eliminate some of the incentives of running, such as unlocking skills; (2) the Academy is very conscious of the state of running services, the game economy, and the effects of more or less certified runners available that can be relied upon for the most difficult assignments and needs; (3) the very first post in the thread has and always will contain the caveat that there are no guaruntees; (4) the Academy has created an Admissions Board specifically to consider economic impact and qualifications of each applicant and reinforce the disclaimer that there are no guaruntees; and (5) the business model that has proven so successful for me and so many others would actually function better if every single person who ran was also certified. The whole game experience would be better if we could provide a single set price that people could count on, never be scammed, and easily decide whether it was worth it or not to use the service or fight through alone. There would be no scamming on either side of the equation and all would be ideal.

It is most likely true that I am the wealthiest person who plays the game, though there is probably no way to really know. The wealth has come from the generosity of friends leaving the game, significant trading, and a great deal of running. I recognize that I am something of a celebrity in the Guild Wars world and I promise my clients, my customers, my students, my colleauges, and myself that it will not affect my business ethics ever. That is the real reason I have done so well with so much less time invested than others. Great ideas, great discernment of peoples' characters, but above all else complete honesty from the outset with how the Academy works and what I am trying to achieve: a fun, headache free, grind free, scam free game for all.

It is also true that my work and my ideas have spawned untold scores of imitators, which I encourage whenever they also imitate my ethics. Almost all have charged less for their time and that I also encourage, but none of the others have ever lasted very long.

What does the future hold for runners or anything else? I do not know. I do know that no other group is better known or better regarded for the service we provide, and that when the expansion is released, and people want to quickly hit level 20 with new characters and new professions and reach new locations quickly again, the people who will be poised to make a killing will be the people associated with this Academy.

Final thought, from the Sergio quote above: I love the nickname Nokia for capitalist. I'm going to start calling him that from now on . . .

Mindcrime · Oct 28, 2005, 04:28 AM // 04:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Steel

Final thought, from the Sergio quote above: I love the nickname Nokia for capitalist. I'm going to start calling him that from now on . . .

Nokia ...connecting people. NO, Isnt dirty Nakora?

FyrFytr998 · Oct 28, 2005, 07:48 PM // 19:48

I just want to chime in about all the comments about "the cost" of the academy. Another reason for the tuition fee is to make sure we are scammer free. In another post. A person who was to join us has decided to start his own "free" academy. And already he is being overwhelmed with request from freeloaders to teach the secrets of being a good runner. But being in a free academy is an open gateway for scammers to get in a "recognized" group. They can scam a few customers before or if they are even caught. With no consequence to them. Being that we will be smaller than this "free" academy, we will be better suited to control such actions, as well as the scammer being "out" of his/her tuition. One such incident has already been squashed by our group. And though I hope they are successful, I'm not sure this free academy will be able to sustain itself. When people get something for free. There is no insentive for them to work to contribute more to make it better. Which is not the case with our group. We've all paid the price of admission and we are very active when in game applying theories and having fun with each other.

So to all those that think we're too expensive. You have an alternative. Just don't expect too much. LBSRA is growing in spite of it. We now have a web site. As well as better instructions due to the expanded knowledge base of our guild mates. We're even making videos for our members. What you do after you become certified is up to you. I'm a certified runner, and have yet to take a single customer. Does this mean I wasted my money? No. I'm just happy knowing I'm affiliated with "The Best in the Biz", and can be called on to complete a task if asked by my guildmates.

Blackhal0 · Oct 28, 2005, 08:29 PM // 20:29

^^ have to agree with this, these are the only, and i do mean only, people i would or ever do pay upfront and they are the only runners i have seen complete some of the most difficult runs flawlessly, they are expensive without a doubt but if you want to get were your going without the risk of being scammed or messed around use em, or me when i work out how to run

November Raine · Oct 28, 2005, 08:37 PM // 20:37

^^ agree, i paid elita coldheart(mindcrime) 30k for a run to droks..although not needed I saw the quality of the runners they have and it was impressive also elita=nicest player i have ever met

mindcrime; thanks for your time last night and i do hope that everything went well with the guys i brought to you

thanks; its always nice to talk to new people and make new friends

kareel · Oct 28, 2005, 08:44 PM // 20:44

See... My weariness (and equal wariness) of things like "The Lady Blue Steel's Academy of whathaveyou", lies primarily in the fact that I can't really imagine anything the academy could offer that isn't readily available to the average semi-observant person. Honestly, most of the great "secrets" of running are common sense, more than anything else. I myself can run fairly well through the most commonly-known areas of the game, and that's come strictly from being observant, and knowing how to use the skills I have.

Really, it seems more like a chance to shirk the lazy or shiftless (don't get me wrong, I don't mean lazy in the sense that the people can't repeat the same actions ad nausem, I mean the people don't care to examine the game mechanics), than anything else.

Another issue I have to question, is what LBS is doing with all that money she's making off the academy as a whole. Certainly, she's probably the richest person in the game, but really, to what ends? It's like the old adage of the man buring his gold in his back yard.

Either way... the popularity of this whole thing both astounds, and mildly disturbs me. But... Happy running.

~ Kareel D.S.

Sergio Leone · Oct 28, 2005, 09:00 PM // 21:00

Kareel I'm in agreement there. I don't see that there is anything in running that can't be self-taught. I mean I'm sure there are SOME things that LBSRA has to offer in the ways of techniques, but all-in-all nothing more than the recognition of being certified. If I were to join that'd be one of my MAJOR reasons, to be certified and somewhat well-known.

It seems that people are just joining to academy for this reason or one similar to it, to be "associated" with LBS and the LBSR guild. I have no problem with that if people want to spend 15 ectos just for that by all means go right ahead. Now this does seem to be against some of my other posts as I have been wanting, but not willing, to join LBSRA. Though it's just my opinion on the matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Steel

I do know that no other group is better known or better regarded for the service we provide, and that when the expansion is released, and people want to quickly hit level 20 with new characters and new professions and reach new locations quickly again, the people who will be poised to make a killing will be the people associated with this Academy.

As for this, I can completely see this happening. So this is the MAIN reason I want to join. Is that eventually, it seems that the pay WILL be payed off. Alright time to go make some cash hopefully.

Sergio

striderkaaru · Oct 28, 2005, 09:00 PM // 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by kareel

See... My weariness (and equal wariness) of things like "The Lady Blue Steel's Academy of whathaveyou", lies primarily in the fact that I can't really imagine anything the academy could offer that isn't readily available to the average semi-observant person. Honestly, most of the great "secrets" of running are common sense, more than anything else. I myself can run fairly well through the most commonly-known areas of the game, and that's come strictly from being observant, and knowing how to use the skills I have.

Really, it seems more like a chance to shirk the lazy or shiftless (don't get me wrong, I don't mean lazy in the sense that the people can't repeat the same actions ad nausem, I mean the people don't care to examine the game mechanics), than anything else.

Another issue I have to question, is what LBS is doing with all that money she's making off the academy as a whole. Certainly, she's probably the richest person in the game, but really, to what ends? It's like the old adage of the man buring his gold in his back yard.

Either way... the popularity of this whole thing both astounds, and mildly disturbs me. But... Happy running.

~ Kareel D.S.

blue is saving up, i think. so, when the expansion comes out, the funds are there to buy almost anything. i know that blue sometimes goes on spending sprees, so it's not as if the riches are just buried.

as for the academy, i think it's more for the name and the opportunity to be associated with one of the most well respected members of the community. i've spoken with a few of the members of the guild, and some of them could already do the runs even before joining. a lot of it is for the name. being associated with lady blue steel gives the high end clientelle and level of trust that go along with it. as for others, it's a chance for them to learn what put blue at the top.

there's usually a mix of both support and criticism for this endeavor. all in all, it is just a game and ectos are just ingame funds. it's another way for people to enjoy the game and roleplay in an academy. if someone thinks its absurd, it's best that they keep their comments to themselves. let people play the game how they want to.

with all that said, i have never been run by blue or any of the grads. however, i have partied with them (blue, nakora, elita, blurr, etc.) on numerous adventures such as tackling glint or thunderhead, trips to the fissure, uw, or the furnace, and even the titan quests. i can honestly say that they are both skilled and extremely friendly. a lot of their customers will probably say the same things.

all in all, ecto is just pretend money and doesn't really mean anything. however, having the pleasure of working with people like this is priceless.

Mindcrime · Oct 28, 2005, 10:20 PM // 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by November Raine

^^ agree, i paid elita coldheart(mindcrime) 30k for a run to droks..although not needed I saw the quality of the runners they have and it was impressive also elita=nicest player i have ever met

mindcrime; thanks for your time last night and i do hope that everything went well with the guys i brought to you

thanks; its always nice to talk to new people and make new friends

Thank you again: November Raine for those kind words. You are a friendly player aswell! Hope to see you online for further chats!

November Raine · Oct 29, 2005, 12:32 AM // 00:32

awe, your too kind

I didnt pay him to say that I swear..

The Herbalizer · Oct 29, 2005, 12:35 PM // 12:35

Quote:

See... My weariness (and equal wariness) of things like "The Lady Blue Steel's Academy of whathaveyou", lies primarily in the fact that I can't really imagine anything the academy could offer that isn't readily available to the average semi-observant person. Honestly, most of the great "secrets" of running are common sense, more than anything else. I myself can run fairly well through the most commonly-known areas of the game, and that's come strictly from being observant, and knowing how to use the skills I have.

Quote:

Kareel I'm in agreement there. I don't see that there is anything in running that can't be self-taught. I mean I'm sure there are SOME things that LBSRA has to offer in the ways of techniques, but all-in-all nothing more than the recognition of being certified. If I were to join that'd be one of my MAJOR reasons, to be certified and somewhat well-known.

I ran two friends of mine to droknar last night from beacons and they were shocked at how easily I did the run without getting into any trouble. I ran through some of the worst spawns in lornars pass and did not die once. If running is common sense then how come few people can actually make it. I have even heard stories of how two runners cannot make it

The academy has given me an excellent understanding of running and I have obtained tips and advice which has benefitted me greatly.
Now onto the comments of not making the money back: I run rarely as I do not need that much gold anymore but have still have made back the costs of joining many times over. Of course you cant expect to be making 30k an hour straight away as like anything it requires practice and patience.

Sergio Leone · Oct 29, 2005, 03:43 PM // 15:43

Well as I said in the exact quote you said, "I'm sure there are some things LBRSA can teach you". Although you have shown this is true by explaining your Droknar run, the MAJORITY of things can be self-taught. I still stick by what I said that alot of joining this Academy/Guild is for recognition or to play with a recognized person. Example: I started a post about my running services, now I'm not a great runner, but I'm decent. I got 1 response. Then someone from LBSR posts that they run about the same thing they get 10 posts or so because they are in LBSR. As I said alot of it is recognition. Now I'm not saying THAT person joined for recognition, but that's certainly what they got. I have a feeling that anyone who joins now will make their money back if not now, but when the expansion pack comes out.

My only question left is will you teach people new runs that are already in the Academy/Guild to any new places released?

FyrFytr998 · Oct 29, 2005, 05:41 PM // 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio Leone

Well as I said in the exact quote you said, "I'm sure there are some things LBRSA can teach you". Although you have shown this is true by explaining your Droknar run, the MAJORITY of things can be self-taught. I still stick by what I said that alot of joining this Academy/Guild is for recognition or to play with a recognized person. Example: I started a post about my running services, now I'm not a great runner, but I'm decent. I got 1 response. Then someone from LBSR posts that they run about the same thing they get 10 posts or so because they are in LBSR. As I said alot of it is recognition. Now I'm not saying THAT person joined for recognition, but that's certainly what they got. I have a feeling that anyone who joins now will make their money back if not now, but when the expansion pack comes out.

My only question left is will you teach people new runs that are already in the Academy/Guild to any new places released?

We are always working with each other. When I was having my troubles getting my run certification. LBS had Brutaniau personally coach me. Sometimes we get together just for fun to see each others different run styles. So rest assured. When new explorable areas come out. We will be running them together to get the best line/route down. And passing them on to our members. Either via a manual or more recently through a video. Like I said, we make good use of our investment.