Posted by: RC Master
Communites need a unique appeal to last IMO. Something people can't really get as well, or quite like it, anywhere else. Something they feel a repeated, strong desired to come back for.
I agree completely, even if that unique appeal is just access to a special blend of people. When I profile private groups as part of a Ride Along recap (which, in my opinion, is more important than describing the games we played), I am always asking "What service do you provide to the community?"
Groups can be teams, fanclubs, social lounges, creative ensembles, or secret societies. It's important to design an experience and communicate that mission to your members. If you are a leader, your charge is to serve them.
The tribal elements of gaming are my favorite parts of the experience. When gamers come together to create something, the game becomes more than software that one person enjoys alone.