I have seen both sides of the issue- Nations/orgainzations charter or sponsor guilds so it is in their interest to impose restrictions, but also players still learning or just playing for fun sometimes can't join a guild that there friends are in.
I do think that there are already three solutions:
Change your allegiances to match those of your friends.
Create a league to organize.
Create a custom channel (aka Cookies).
Historically, the only thing a guild provides you personally is a chat channel and an additional online list and less commonly used guild forums. Now there are guild islands and hopefully you will be able to invite visitors! The league and custom channel already cover the chat and online component.
I do think that there are already three solutions:
Change your allegiances to match those of your friends.
Create a league to organize.
Create a custom channel (aka Cookies).
Historically, the only thing a guild provides you personally is a chat channel and an additional online list and less commonly used guild forums. Now there are guild islands and hopefully you will be able to invite visitors! The league and custom channel already cover the chat and online component.