HowToBeAGM

This section is currently being developed or reviewed. Some statements may be disputed, incorrect, biased or otherwise objectionable.

How to make yourself a GM on your own server

The initial admin has to be created this way

• create a folder structure data/conf next to your stendhal-server-x.xx.jar
• create a text file called admin.list (without .txt) there
• add the names of the admins to this file; one per line
• verify that your marauroad.bat / marautorad.sh contains "." on the classpath
• restart server

After that the /adminlevel command can be used in game.

How to become electable to be a GM on the official server

You may be one of the many asking "how do I become a game admin or game master (GM)?" so we have produced a guide to inform you of what we expect from our GMs.

Don't be fooled into thinking being a Game Master is fun, it's mostly a job and a responsibility. You must not use the power gained to profit your character or your friends' characters in game (or for that matter, anyone else!) To put it simply: if you want to be a GM simply because you want to cheat, then FORGET IT! (See Adminlevels for details)

After this is said, we appreciate anyone who wants to help. Please describe, why you want to become a GM. You may get some ideas from this list:

• Answering /support questions
• Help people (not by doing their work but explaining how to do it) and be as nice as possible
• Be an "old" player, i.e. have signed up at least half year ago, and have more than 500 hours playing time (which indicates to us that you are a hardcore player-beta tester).
• Finish all current quests in main game server (without using GM power), so you know almost everything about them when people ask you the hows & whys
• noticed this line containing a non existing wordto
• contribute to the project
  • Report bugs and if you can, fix bugs
  • Create maps/sprites/images/tilesets (contribute graphics) for game
  • Create music for the game
  • Submit ideas and feature requests
  • Create code for feature requests
  • Create new NPCs and/or new quests
  • Create stories
• Be fair to everyone as much as possible
• Behave well and with patience
• Have language skills to help translate or answer questions which are not in English, Spanish or German.
• Add, update and edit articles on the wiki, like guides, refactoring, stories, etc.
• Host the main game server
• Realise that being an admin on another server is not relevant

For those who do not speak English as a native language:

• (Espanol)
• Jesli nie potrafisz przetlumaczyc tej strony tak by ja przeczytac nie mozesz byc adminem (Polski)
• Wenn du kannst nicht diese Web Page ubersetzen, du kannst auch nicht ein Admin sein (Deutsch)

In any case, as previously stated, it is up to the development team to decide who will actually become a GM.

And remember: contributing to this wonderful project (for which it has been said, on at least one occasion, that its reputation precedes it ;)) should be reward enough in itself.

How to keep your GM status

• Never abuse your powers. And don't forget that your use of your GM powers is logged
• Talk with other admins and share your thoughts
• Be active
• Check Stendhal:Administration for update to GM commands and guideline jail times.
• If in game, /gmhelp reminds you of commands
• When you punish someone, have evidence and be fair
• If possible, warn a player before you punish him, what will happen to him. Then he has the chance to stop.
• Don't give weapons, armor, potions, money or any other items to players with no fair reason. Tell them to play the game; you may give some advice but don't spoil the fun by giving away all the secrets. They must find stuff out themselves
• Don't do favors to specific players or treat other ones badly (unless necessary as part of your GM duties)
• When you think you must do something serious, like a permanent ban on an account/player, contact the other GMs and discuss it
• Respect the others GMs and expect the same respect from them. Demand respect from players
• Try to ignore annoying players as much as possible, Answering them just encourages them. Do punish abuse of the /support channel if it is repeated and you've already warned the player in question that they will be punished if they do it again.
• Notice and praise the players who help others and who play nicely. It will make you feel better about all the annoying ones, and they will like to be appreciated.
• Organize monster raids or other events or games

Final thoughts

You will notice that the word "fair" is used many times above and not without good reason, it's the most important quality of a GM. All the above statements are proof that you love the game and you want to do anything possible to help it grow. If this is you then you deserve to be a GM.

It is important to note however, that there are different levels of GM and to be a really high level GM, all other existing GMs must vote or agree to add you on the team. So, if you wish to move up the GM rankings, earn their trust!