AvidGamers Website

A screenshot of the landing page after the merge to Invisionfree, taken from the Internet Archive, 11 September 2004.

The AvidGamers Website was the first Website and Forums combination used by the Wilderness Guardians, from their opening in December 2003 to April 2004. A singular copy of the AvidGamers website exists on the Internet Archive, retrieved on 26 September 2004, and can be accessed here.

Overview

The website was created by His Lordship, using the Avid Gamers community-hosting service provided by Vertiqal Software International. Titled The Great Wilderness Guardian Realm, it served as both a website for documenting information about the clan (albeit to a limited extent), and a forum for communication between members. It is not clear when the site was first created - presumably around the time of the creation of the clan in December 2003.

The AvidGamers site was replaced as a website with the FrontPage Website on 4 February 2004. It continued to serve as the clan forums for another two months until April 2004, when at the suggestion of Rick Hamm, WG began using Invisionfree forums, starting with the S7 Forums on 17 or 27 April 2004. The AvidGamers website remained open to veterans of the clan, presumably until the dissolution of Avid Gamers in 2007.

Sections

The website is considerably simplistic compared to later versions, and aside from the forums contains only an application form, written history, and a list of clan rules and beliefs.

Application Form

The first record of a form for players to apply to join WG was extremely simplistic, consisting of only three sections:

• Desired nickname - presumably for the applicant's RuneScape character name.
• Email - an email address in order to receive a response, including emails of acceptance.
• Why You Want To Join - an open text box with no requirements.

There was also a set of terms and conditions which potential applicants would be agreeing to upon submitting their application, which were:

• Acknowledgement of the application information being correct.
• Forfeiture of membership with any other clans.
• Agreement to represent the values and attitudes of WG.
• Agreement to actively partake in clan PK trips and discussions.
• Agreement to keep clan-only information in confidence.

The application form also served as a diplomatic point of contact for other clan leaders to request alliances - they were instructed to apply as a "[clan name] Representative" and would be granted forum access.

Clan History

Main article: AvidGamers History

A highly-fictionalised version of the clan's early history was written and published to the website by His Lordship. It covers the events of late 2003 and early 2004 in a fantasy-style tale: from His Lordship being PKed while collecting runes at the Dark Warrior's Fortress, to the clan reaching 100 members and the first period of decline.