Clans & Clusters in Godforge

The latest episode of the Fateless Podcast delivered a deep dive into the world of clan clusters and the challenges that come with managing large gaming communities. Hosted by Brad, this episode featured guests Sham, Simon, and special guest Dom, a veteran clan leader from the Raid: Shadow Legends community. Together, they explored the intricacies of running large gaming groups, best practices for cluster management, and how Godforge can take these lessons to create a more engaging and rewarding clan experience.

Dom, who has been playing Raid: Shadow Legends for over four years, is the leader of Total Teamwork, a large cluster that once boasted over 22 clans and 1,000 members. While the numbers have fluctuated, his community remains active and highly organized, with a focus on efficient management and democratic decision-making.

One of the biggest insights Dom shared was how his cluster evolved naturally, starting as a single clan before growing into a full-fledged gaming powerhouse. Interestingly, there wasn't a grand plan at first—just a simple desire to accommodate more players, which quickly led to the need for structured leadership roles, organization, and clear communication.

Managing such a large group isn't easy, and Dom explained that no single person can run everything alone. Instead, he has an admin team that helps oversee daily operations, handle disputes, and make key decision.

A key takeaway from the discussion was the importance of in-game communication tools. Currently, many clusters rely on external platforms like Discord to coordinate activities, assign roles, and manage players. While this works, it creates a disconnect between the game and its community a problem Godforge has the opportunity to solve.

One of the hottest topics of the discussion was whether being in a clan or cluster should provide a massive advantage over solo players. Dom believes that while clan membership should offer benefits, it shouldn't create an unfair gap that makes solo play unviable.

Brad and Simon challenged this idea, pointing out that many of the most successful games encourage group play through meaningful incentives. Games thrive when players feel part of a larger community, as it **boosts engagement, retention, and enjoyment.

Simon noted that some of the longest-lasting games like World of Warcraft and Clash of Clans kept players invested not just through gameplay, but through the friendships and rivalries they formed within their groups. Finding the right balance between rewarding team play and maintaining a fair solo experience will be a crucial design challenge for Godforge.

With Godforge in development, the team wanted to hear what an experienced cluster leader would love to see in a next-generation clan system. Dom had a wish list of features that could make clan play more engaging and efficient, including:

• Cross-clan communication – A built-in way for leaders of multiple clans in a cluster to communicate without needing external apps.
• Cluster leadership tools – Hierarchical roles and permissions for better organization.
• In-game messaging system – The ability to send announcements, strategic updates, and promotions across multiple clans.
• Automated recognition – Special clan-wide notifications when a member achieves something impressive (e.g., quad-roll gear, high-ranking PvP finishes, or big boss damage milestones).
• Replay and Spectator Mode – Players should be able to watch their clanmates' battles, just like in Clash Royale or Clash of Clans, to learn, strategize, and enjoy the competitive banter.
• Internal Clan Tournaments – Custom PvP tournaments where clans can set unique rules, restrictions, and leaderboards to create engaging in-house competitions.

A big part of clan culture is the fun and camaraderie that comes from bragging rights, friendly rivalries, and playful banter. Brad recalled how games like Diablo Immortal and Starcraft intensified the excitement with live spectator views and real-time clan recognition.

The Godforge team is considering features like:

• Live battle spectating, where clan members can watch their allies fight in real-time.
• Custom clan battles, allowing members to challenge each other for fun, practice, or promotion purposes.
• Async defenses, where players set up their defenses and challenge others to break through them—similar to Clash of Clans war mechanics.

The idea? Make clans more than just a passive membership. Instead, they should be an interactive, exciting part of the game that keeps players coming back for competition, cooperation, and community.

To close out the discussion, Brad asked Dom which mythological or legendary figure he'd love to see as a hero in Godforge. After a moment of deep thought, Dom settled on Marius—an underrated but fascinating figure from Roman history.

While Godforge has plenty of mythical inspirations, the idea of lesser-known but impactful historical figures joining the mix is intriguing. Could we see Marius and other unique historical heroes making an appearance? Only time will tell!

This episode of the Fateless Podcast was a goldmine of insights into how clan and cluster systems shape player engagement. With Godforge actively designing its clan features, the team is keen to hear from the community about what they want.