(I apologize in advance if this is considered an improper 'bump'.)
Even though new, I would like to throw my opionion out there regarding this and related issues. My suggestions might be considered off the wall, but I have put some thought into it, and have some experience in the workings and drama surrounding similar institutions in other games.
I think there
should be "approved guilds" in PS - but
not in the sense that any of the existing guilds should be 'selected' or 'chosen' for receiving some kind of 'stamp of approval'. As many have mentioned, it is far too easy for this to come across as a kind of favoritism, and 'guilds' as PS knows them now can display a certain degree of instability. Instead, I think there should be officially sanctioned municipal guilds for each of the major crafts created by the powers that be for the propagation of those trades for the good of all. While the municipal council (headed by the Vigesimi of Hydlaa, perhaps) would be responsible for the founding of these "approved guilds" (the number and nature of which should be directly connected to the craft possibilities in-game), the posts within them - president, treasurer, consultant, etc. - should be open to players. The bylaws of each guild should be adaptable, yet adhere to a basic framework set out by the municipal council for all guilds in general (for example, perhaps requiring that democratic elections be held to determine the assignment of posts).
Further, I think there should be guild houses located in Hydlaa (being the largest city on the upper level), perhaps even in their own district. The governing body of the guild should be required to 'lease' the house from the city for a regular fee for a limited time with the option to continue the lease indefinately. Guild houses should always remain property of the municipality. However, the houses themselves should not be 'static'.
Guild houses should start out as 'standard', e.g. 'modestly' decorated buildings which can be 'upgraded' (through the application of new skins) to reflect the status and prosperity of the guild. Three or four 'upgrade levels' should be sufficient to provide incentive and common goals for the guild administration to work towards. These 'upgrades' should cost a hefty sum, collected either through guild membership dues, through the sale of guild surplus goods, or a combination of both, should be payable to the municipal council, and should also increase the amount the guild needs to pay to the city to maintain their lease. If the new lease amount cannot be paid, then the house should be 'downgraded' to reflect the loss in status and/or wealth.
Having such "officially approved" guilds would more fully integrate the concept of guilds into the game: they become public institutions instead of 'clubs'. Of course, certain guilds - such as a rogues guild or a thieves guild - should never receive municipal support. But that certainly doesn't mean they can't continue to exist. Nor does it mean that independent guilds cannot continue to exist outside of the "official" system of guilds. But - just as in the real world - they would be faced with certain difficulties if they wanted to compete with the bigger, more well established guilds. Would the established guilds enjoy a kind of monopoly? To some degree, yes. But monopolies such as this are 100% in-context for the level of civilization PS is set in.
Such guilds could jump-start establishing a large-scale virtual economic system. They would create a source of internal revenue for the city, which could then feed into the RP of development and expansion in the future. They would also allow the possibility of large-scale, long-term "guild quests": For example, the governing body of a guild might have the opportunity of cutting a deal with the municipal council to produce a certain amount of goods in a limited period of time in exchange for a reduction in rent fees for one in-game month or year, trade rights with other levels, access to hidden resources or new technologies, etc. This would require them organizing their members and working together towards a common goal with benefits palpable by all.
A bit over-the-top, perhaps. But that's something I would love to see become a (virtual) reality.
