Bungie.net Community
This topic has moved here: Subject: Membership has its REWARDS. So, what are they?
  • Subject: Membership has its REWARDS. So, what are they?
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • of 3
Subject: Membership has its REWARDS. So, what are they?
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Do you have what it takes to become a ninja? Join Ninja Academy
Prepared to learn the way of the jedi? Join
KOTOR

I do find it ironic how often mods derail serious threads in the Septagon.

*runs away*

  • 05.03.2007 7:18 PM PDT

Sandswept Studios Design Director

Visit us and check out our games at Sandswept.net!

~~Pardon Our Dust.~~

Posted by: Recon Number 54
That's what I am really curious about. What sort of wild "member rewards" would you like to see in an online catalog?


I think you've just listed off a lot of them.. And we've been speculating for weeks. Weeks upon weeks. What I really want right now is Achronos, or someone else in charge of that, to come out and say "These are the rewards. Enjoy."

I'm kind of tired of speculation, in general. Of course, I realize the main purpose of this thread is so Achronos has a clear-cut idea of what we really really want. If you would like a list, I'd be happy to give one. Let's just take the two big ones people keep arguing:

More PM box features. However, I'd just like this in general. It's just a nice thing to have, right upon joining the site. So, this will automatically be a downer for me as a 'reward.'

Custom Avatars. Yay! Wouldn't that be fun? Of course, they should require Achronos' approval, as the moderators/theme masters do now. However, this is very unlikely to happen. If you look at 'contributing to the community', in a sense, this is already a reward. (For Theme Masters and mods, for example)

Honestly, I don't know. I really don't. Personally, I'm tired of speculation, as I said before. I'd like to see two things: either less of us sitting here going "What should we get?" (which we've done many times before), or actually getting rewards. Of course, that's also because I'm extremely tired today, and I'm in no mood to type an essay, or being very friendly. Forgive me for that.

I do enjoy listening to all your ideas though. That always is fun enough for me. :P

[Edited on 05.03.2007 7:20 PM PDT]

  • 05.03.2007 7:19 PM PDT

.||./

My gamertag is SHADOWRIDERJP.

Posted by: SS_Zag1
Posted by: Recon Number 54
That's what I am really curious about. What sort of wild "member rewards" would you like to see in an online catalog?



Custom Avatars. Yay! Wouldn't that be fun? Of course, they should require Achronos' approval, as the moderators/theme masters do now. However, this is very unlikely to happen. If you look at 'contributing to the community', in a sense, this is already a reward. (For Theme Masters and mods, for example)



I still think only mods and theme masters should only have custom avatars. People without custom avatars would be looked down upon. It should not happen, but it would. I think that if there are rewards it should be like an outbox or other special little features the user can use and not something that can be shown off.

  • 05.03.2007 7:27 PM PDT

Posted by: natedogr
I do find it ironic how often mods derail serious threads in the Septagon.

*runs away*


Personally I'd rather read funny ninja posts than people pontificating for 43 paragraphs on something that's never going to happen.

  • 05.03.2007 7:31 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Do you have what it takes to become a ninja? Join Ninja Academy
Prepared to learn the way of the jedi? Join
KOTOR

Posted by: atomic weggie
Posted by: natedogr
I do find it ironic how often mods derail serious threads in the Septagon.

*runs away*


Personally I'd rather read funny ninja posts than people pontificating for 43 paragraphs on something that's never going to happen.


Excellent point. I do think some of their posts are funny and almost nothing I post ever happens. However, I still find irony in the situation.

EDIT: I am getting too off-topic. Custom avatars will never happen and I am glad they won't. We don't need -blam!- on this website.

[Edited on 05.03.2007 7:34 PM PDT]

  • 05.03.2007 7:33 PM PDT

Sandswept Studios Design Director

Visit us and check out our games at Sandswept.net!

~~Pardon Our Dust.~~

Posted by: GHOSTRIDERJP
I still think only mods and theme masters should only have custom avatars. People without custom avatars would be looked down upon. It should not happen, but it would. I think that if there are rewards it should be like an outbox or other special little features the user can use and not something that can be shown off.


If you did that, you wouldn't get one in the first place.. Or if somehow Achronos made a slip in judgment after watching you for long periods of time and checking your history, and gave you one, it'd be stripped the moment you used it to gain some sort of seemingly 'intellectual' or 'high-school' advantage over people.

High-school advantage.. You know. "I have this cool toy/object/attire, therefore I'm better than you."

[Edited on 05.03.2007 7:48 PM PDT]

  • 05.03.2007 7:47 PM PDT

The bible is the best book Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM A PROUD CHRISTIAN. HALO IS AWESOME BUT GOD IS MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!
Did you knew that JESUSdied for you?

i am thinking of the idea to "unlock" avatars
recon Your idea even tough is old is the BEST estructured one and with your point of view the idea becomes perfect nice job for something you are a master ninja

[Edited on 05.03.2007 7:49 PM PDT]

  • 05.03.2007 7:48 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Do you have what it takes to become a ninja? Join Ninja Academy
Prepared to learn the way of the jedi? Join
KOTOR

Posted by: SS_Zag1
Posted by: GHOSTRIDERJP
I still think only mods and theme masters should only have custom avatars. People without custom avatars would be looked down upon. It should not happen, but it would. I think that if there are rewards it should be like an outbox or other special little features the user can use and not something that can be shown off.


If you did that, you wouldn't get one in the first place.. Or if somehow Achronos made a slip in judgment after watching you for long periods of time and checking your history, and gave you one, it'd be stripped the moment you used it to gain some sort of seemingly 'intellectual' or 'high-school' advantage over people.


We will need to be content with invisible rewards. Achronos will never allow custom avatars or anything else that is visible.

  • 05.03.2007 7:48 PM PDT

Sandswept Studios Design Director

Visit us and check out our games at Sandswept.net!

~~Pardon Our Dust.~~

Posted by: BestSpartan117
i am thinking of the idea to "unlock" avatars


That's also an idea.. At least then they'd be more 'generic' but still 'rewarding'.

  • 05.03.2007 7:49 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Do you have what it takes to become a ninja? Join Ninja Academy
Prepared to learn the way of the jedi? Join
KOTOR

Posted by: SS_Zag1
Posted by: BestSpartan117
i am thinking of the idea to "unlock" avatars


That's also an idea.. At least then they'd be more 'generic' but still 'rewarding'.


Good idea. That would get around Achronos' ban on all custom avatars. Now, would he go for it? That is the million dollar question.

  • 05.03.2007 7:50 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Fabled Mythic Member
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Things to buy:

A "1337" avatar pack that you can buy from... Maybe in the avatar somewhere it says "Trusted" or something like that...
A custom title that says "Trusted Member" or "Valued Member."
An 'about me' to be posted in the... "Trusted members forum" so that members can get to know you... (unlikely)
A "Trusted colour," a light blue or something...??
An "Alert Ninja" button on the side thingy... (Being trusted we should be trusted to alert the Ninja's when we see something not good..)

And more...?

[Edited on 05.03.2007 7:54 PM PDT]

  • 05.03.2007 7:53 PM PDT

.||./

My gamertag is SHADOWRIDERJP.

Posted by: SS_Zag1
Posted by: GHOSTRIDERJP
I still think only mods and theme masters should only have custom avatars. People without custom avatars would be looked down upon. It should not happen, but it would. I think that if there are rewards it should be like an outbox or other special little features the user can use and not something that can be shown off.


If you did that, you wouldn't get one in the first place.. Or if somehow Achronos made a slip in judgment after watching you for long periods of time and checking your history, and gave you one, it'd be stripped the moment you used it to gain some sort of seemingly 'intellectual' or 'high-school' advantage over people.


I am not as much worried that people would use it to brag (just a little). The bigger issue is people without custom avatars, such as new members. Their posts would be looked as less important, while people with custom avatars posts would be paid attention to more.

  • 05.03.2007 7:53 PM PDT

.||./

My gamertag is SHADOWRIDERJP.

Posted by: SS_Zag1
Posted by: BestSpartan117
i am thinking of the idea to "unlock" avatars


That's also an idea.. At least then they'd be more 'generic' but still 'rewarding'.


That is a much better idea.

Sorry for the double.

[Edited on 05.03.2007 7:55 PM PDT]

  • 05.03.2007 7:55 PM PDT

*Sgt

Posted by: Recon Number 54
positive reinforcement


agreed

  • 05.03.2007 7:56 PM PDT

Sandswept Studios Design Director

Visit us and check out our games at Sandswept.net!

~~Pardon Our Dust.~~

Posted by: GHOSTRIDERJP
I am not as much worried that people would use it to brag (just a little). The bigger issue is people without custom avatars, such as new members. Their posts would be looked as less important, while people with custom avatars posts would be paid attention to more.

I would disagree. Sir Fragula is the most boring member, ever.

>_>

;)

  • 05.03.2007 8:03 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Thought I'd chip in here. I mostly like the "TC" idea, so I just wanted to get that out there.

But I also wanted to comment on two relatively major points that have not yet received much attention in this thread.

In my opinion, a rewards system should not only reward good members, but I think that it is essential that a good system also give bad-to-mediocre members something to strive for. There are two huge ways to make this happen that I can see.

Encourage Good Members to Participate More in the Public Forums

I feel strongly about any potential rewards system in these ways:

* Do not create a private "trusted member only" public forum
* Do not allow personal forums on a member's profile page
* Do not create a "group" or "chapter" that only allows trusted members

I strongly disagree with any kind of reward system that encourages good members to stay away from the public forums. Good members are often the only hope that immature and ill-intentioned posters have to become better. Good posters earn respect on these forums which is something that can't be bought -- not even with Trust Credits. Good posters are often skilled in bringing threads back on topic. Good posters personify everything that we want these forums to be.

For that reason, it seems obvious (at least to me) that encouraging them to spend less time in the forums as a reward for being a good poster will result in a sharp stratification: the good posters will spend less time in the public forums, the public forums will become horrifying spam/flame wastelands and, as a result, the good members well be even less likely to spend their time there -- a classic vicious cycle.

I also worry that the public forums will be seen as a "minor league" system, so to speak, with lots of users trying to make it to the "big leauges" and the big leaguers never again deigning to mix in with the minor leagues -- unless they get in trouble. More stratification means less interaction with this Community's younger and/or immature members who need these big brother types to help them along.

Anway, no analogy can work perfectly in this situation and I will not try to make it work here. But hopefully you get the drift of my point -- the good posters are needed in the public forums and should be encouraged to stay there by all means. In fact, a rewards system, if anything should encourage more time on the public forums rather than interacting in groups or elsewhere.

To Be Effective, Rewards Must Be Visible to All

I have always been a proponent of visible rewards.

I would venture to guess that many users are like me in that they are mostly here for the interaction with their peers. For me, the prospect of having an extra button in my profile to add a "guest book" or a photograph holds little appeal in comparison to the prospect of having some kind of semi-official confirmation that I am a good example for other posters to "look up to" and follow. It would simply help make the forums (the reason I come here, as opposed to my own profile) that much more of an enjoyment.

I truly believe that some "bad posters" here are bad only because they do not get enough exposure and education into what constitutes a "good" or "bad" member. We all know what happened when most of us first came here. Me included. We lurked for a bit and saw that the flamers and spammers were funny. And often drew even more interesting funny posts. That's the example we saw and the one that so many of us followed when we first arrived.

But if new and younger posters were to receive a confirmation -- "B.net says that THIS is an example of a trusted, good member" -- then it would only serve to make the forums that much better.

Visible rewards give people something to strive for. For instance, a "veteran member" or "trusted member" title is a much more realistic goal than "forum ninja."

Please do not come at me with any "elitism" arguments. Those arguments are so easy to put down, and I have done it so many times, that I'm amazed that anybody even trots out that tired old word anymore. There are some situations where "elitism" is a problem, and this is not one of them. "Trusted" members who earn that status would only be able to do so if they were the exact type of user NOT to flaunt such status. Just like the forum ninjas are not "elitist," neither would be the trusted members. Such "trusted member" status can be taken away as easily as it is granted.

Conclusion

Anyway, I've been ranting too long now, but I did just want to chip in a couple of thoughts on this topic. Hope it helps add to the discussion.

  • 05.03.2007 8:58 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Legendary Member

Mourne not your comrades who must dwell / too strong to strive -
Within each steel-bound coffin of a cell, / Buried alive;
But rather mourne the apathetic throng / The cowed, and the meek -
Who see the world’s great anguish and its wrong / And dare not speak.

[group]167741|Diner|Where's the food?[/group]

Alright, to be honest, I haven't fully read all the posts here. I currently lack the time and mental capacity to read that much. But I scanned most of it, so I don't think this will be much of a repeat.

One problem I notice with Recon's OP is the way the points are spent like a currency. Achronos has stated that the entire system will be invisible; that is, even the users will not know how many points they have, or how close they are to "leveling up". From what I have read, he is not going to change his mind on this - the users will never be able to know how many points they have.

But I think there is a fairly easy way around this, and it doesn't affect the over-all idea much. Instead of a user being able to "spend" points, they are (randomly, as far as the users can tell, though it would actually be at set points) offered chances to choose from certain gifts. I agree with Alex on this part. (That was Alex, right?) It should be made clear that these are priviges being offered, not an "award". So, take this example:

An idea of mine would be to allow at the cost of TC (trust credits) a member to customize their profile page more than the standard site layout allows. .... But each component is on a "shopping list" and each component has a price in TC.

Instead of showing a "shopping list" style of things that could be purchased, say they simply receive a PM from the Soul. "I noticed you've been being a productive member. As thanks, we'd like to offer you the chance the add some spice to your profile page. Go check out the cool new things you can choose from [url=thisisafakelinktoapagewithoptions]here[/url]." The user could be offered chunks of new things to use each time they are rewarded. Like I said, it doesn't really change the idea, it just takes away the visibilty of the points. I think that would fit well with the idea that you aren't earning something, but instead you are being rewarded.

I kind of like the idea of a special group where some Bungie employees would "hang out", so "good" members would have a chance to talk to them, without dealing with random spam. One problem, though, would be what exactly spam is. Judging from the examples we have of what Bungie humor is like (mancannon, "Are you nuts? We'd get sacked", Frankie's recent "i am not good at the internet" post, ect, ect...), I wouldn't be suprised to see crude humor being thrown around. But this wouldn't be too much of a problem in my opinion. The best way to handle it would be for it to be completely subjective. If the group admins think you're being a bad member, you're out. Of course there would be rules, so they couldn't kick arbitrarily, but I think that would be a good place where the "Play nice" rule could be exercised the way it was meant to be. After all, it is usually easy for a person to know the difference between humor and spam... and when spam is actually humor... you get the idea, I hope.

hmm... perhaps some other rewards could be things like increased thread per day limit, maybe allow the user to be in a few more groups?

  • 05.03.2007 9:56 PM PDT

-Avatar-

I work for the Department of Defense.

I don't know if i want to devote my day off reading all this. But it all seems very interesting. Thanks for bringing it to attention Recon.

I saw it a page back, "Join Dates" I sadly, hope that plays no role in this system.

Though, if it does, it would make sense, I'll just kick me ass for not listening to a friend in 04' always going "Join the bungie forums man their so cool!"

If only...

Anyways... I don't care what it is. As long as it betters the site. But the site in its self is fine. Its just the people, I'm not sure if this will encourage others to do good, or just do more.

  • 05.03.2007 11:05 PM PDT

The only thing i dont like about this is that i believe it would turn into a game of who could get the most points. Granted, to get these points you would still have to give helpful insight about bungie, halo, or anything else. I guess i just like the fact the people here right now, posting on this board and all the other ones are here because they WANT to be. They dont see it as a competition but they see it as a place where bungie fans can come together. i like that feeling.

with that being said if you're looking to get more people to the site i believe it would work very well.

  • 05.04.2007 2:02 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Posted by: Hawkeyes201
The only thing i dont like about this is that i believe it would turn into a game of who could get the most points. Granted, to get these points you would still have to give helpful insight about bungie, halo, or anything else. I guess i just like the fact the people here right now, posting on this board and all the other ones are here because they WANT to be. They dont see it as a competition but they see it as a place where bungie fans can come together. i like that feeling.

with that being said if you're looking to get more people to the site i believe it would work very well.

I respect your concerns, Hawkeyes, but I must respectfully disagree with you in pretty much every way.

First, I disagree that this idea would have any effect on the number of people on the site. I've never heard of anybody who visits forums only because they offer "points" for making high-quality posts. This effect would be solely internal.

Second, and to respond to your main point, I do not see how this system would force anything. You said that you like it that people come here and post because "they WANT to," but how would Recon's idea change that? I propose that it would not. We do not know (and don't want to know) how the trust rating system works, but Achronos has stated that it takes many factors into account. He has also never stated that either visiting the site or post count is taken into account.

Because we don't really know how the system works, there is absolutely no indication that posting more or visiting the site more increases your trust rating and thus there would be no incentive to visit or post more often. That's the whole idea behind keeping the system's inner workings a secret.

You said that you're worried that this would become a "game" to see who could get the most points.

Once again, I respectfully disagree--there can be no game if nobody knows how to play, what the rules are, or how to win.

[Edited on 05.04.2007 2:31 PM PDT]

  • 05.04.2007 2:29 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Fabled Mythic Member
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

How about the option to change your B.net login name with enough points...?

  • 05.04.2007 6:45 PM PDT

  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • of 3