mod post: activity points and activity bonuses

[riverviewmod]

mod post

Hi everyone! I know this is early, but I wanted to get this up to give everyone some time to think and give feedback before the State of the Game post. This mod post is regarding structural changes to the Activity Points and Activity Bonus system. No cut text, because it's important and I want to make sure everyone sees it.

changes to the activity point system

I have mentioned in a previous mod post that I am looking at a work-related change in my availability relatively soon, and so I have been taking a look at my various mod tasks to see where I can streamline to ensure I don't slow down with the really important stuff like answering questions, posting intro mingles and the TDM, and opening and closing reserves and apps on time. The one place I have noticed is sucking up most of my available modwork time is the Activity Points Submissions - each submission that I process takes 20-40 minutes, so it can get really time consuming!

I have a few ideas for how to streamline the process and make it a little easier on myself:

● 1. Tags that are 150+ words earn 2 points each, tags that are under 150 words earn 1 point each. No bonus rewards for special content, but a flat 50+ Point Bonus for any type of open entry (open log with open prompts or unlocked network entry), not including top-levels in mingles.

● 2. Tags that are 150+ words earn 3 points each, tags that are under 150 words earn 2 points each. No bonus rewards for special content.

● 3. The system as-is, but with any special content submissions done separately with more detail so they are easier to process, including a clearly delineated rubric posted on the Activity Points page to clarify what counts.

● 4. Player Suggestion: Flat rate "1 point per comment" points submission with bonus rewards for special content that is very clearly defined.

In any of these cases, I will be changing how submissions are done - the new submission system will require players to list how many comments have been posted by their character in the linked thread and how many of them are 150+ words.

I'll finalize the new system for the State of the Game post on June 8th. No changes will be made until after the next State of the Game post to give everyone a couple of weeks to give feedback, state preferences, or make suggestions - please discuss as much as you would like on this entry.

navigation

Comments

QUESTIONS

[riverviewmod]

Ask any questions here.

[somnioergosum]

Just to check, this is only affecting the bonus points and Activity Check as is would remain unaffected? So a tag of five 150+ tags or a mix of the two still means that a total of ten aren't needed no matter what change happens?

[riverviewmod]

You are correct. The mandatory Activity Check is completely separate from the points system and is remaining the same. The changes are only to how the optional points are submitted.

SUGGESTIONS

[riverviewmod]

Do you have a different idea or a tweak to one of these options that I haven't thought of? Suggest them here!

[idolpire]

A possible suggestion may be to look at finding yourself a helper mod that strictly works on AC bonuses and points. That would free you up to do the important mod work that needs to be done, but ensure that the AC rewards also gets seen to. Or not a helper mod but a helper in general. Something along those lines. Delegation saves lots of pain.

[riverviewmod]

I thought this suggestion might come up, but I would prefer not to take on additional mods at this time.

[spellslots]

Just coming from a personal viewpoint, I've never really bothered about the 150+ tags for the extra few points, when bonus content earns a whole 50 points per 10 comments, and doing word counts seems like a lot of work for little comparative reward. Which isn't me saying the reward for word counts should be increased, just that I'm not really sure it's necessary at all?

I'd much rather keep the bonus points for special content than the word count bonus. A longer tag doesn't really mean it's a better tag, after all.

Making us do more work wrt counting our comments and giving you more information is definitely a good idea, especially since this isn't a necessary part of the game, like actual AC, so if it feels like too much hard work people can just not do it.

[aeturnus]

Agreeing with this. Things that are much easier to track (making open posts, etc.) giving more points rather than tags with nebulous concept things in them would overall work easier even if it removes some "incentive" to be more substantial with CR?

[riverviewmod]

The original point of the special content bonuses was, essentially, to provide incentive for players to participate in the major game themes (exploration, community building through mingles and defending the city, and shipping). I definitely agree that using concepts that are less nebulous would be easier, though, if players are submitting these kinds of things themselves.

[aeturnus]

Yeah! Generally, I think the best option is to make us majorly accountable for most of the process and you perhaps just double-checking the work rather than doing it all yourself.

[riverviewmod]

That was definitely my goal. I'll have to think of easier-to-track things that align to the tagging behaviors I want to incentivize!

[riverviewmod]

So your preference would be closer to the third option, with special content bonuses still in place, but with a flat "1 point per tag" thread count instead of different points for different lengths?

[spellslots]

That about sums it up, yup!

[inlaid]

Definitely on board with this.

[wingedman]

Seconding everything in this comment. I honestly wouldn't bother copying and pasting all my tags into a word counter just to get one bonus point, but I do like the special content bonuses a lot. But I'm completely fine with easing the load on you by counting the comments and putting that in our tag submission!

[megabond]

I prefer the first option. In my opinion, it has no downsides so far.

[idolpire]

Like most of the others, I'm cool with 4. I don't see any need for extra extra points for a longer tag when you can get bonuses from actually playing in the game mechanic proper. It would make it a lot easier for people to keep track of in general with just counting points, and would incentivize people to play with plots and special content if they wanted more.

[goldcuffed]

Actually don't mind me, re-reading the options and thinking on it a little more, I think my vote is for option 3. I do think it's good to keep the option to count 150+ word comments as 2 points, even if some people don't want to bother and just count all their own comments as 1 point each (I can see myself doing that). And I want special content bonuses to stay, I don't mind having to submit some extra information to make those easier to process.

[redoublement]

As a slow tagger myself, and as someone who is very much a content over tag count, I do like the current system of rewarding lengthier posts, as well as special content- even if that means having to count matters for myself to make submissions easier for you. Having both options for tag count and word count helps to equalize the point system for someone like me, in my eyes. So my preference leans for Option 3, because I also really love the special content bonuses, and think they encourage players to get out and about in interesting, fun ways.

[bespredel]

Adding thoughts to this, I also like option three as a sort of best of both worlds solution. Those who want to take the time to count their 150+ word comments are able to, and those who don't can simply count their comments en masse.

[ragnarsson]

I personally prefer option number three, as I think keeping the special content submissions is a nice incentive for people to get out there and play more. Also completely on board with the change of making the players do the majority of the work. I'm in another game with a similar system for rewards points and it really doesn't take up too much time to track down comment counts.

[clobbers]

Option 4 sounds good to me!

[advanced]

I definitely like option 4 the most, I think having to count which tags were 150+ words could end up taking a very long time for people with long threads or lots of threads to link, whereas counting just the amount of comments made doesn't take long at all.

Keeping the bonus points still give an incentive, whether that's as they stand now or for making open/mingle posts/logs. But my vote is definitely for option 4.

[winscenario]

Going with option 4 too, if only because having to sort out through tags to figure out which ones are 150+ would just be a pain in the ass (as I can imagine is a pain in the ass for you too). And that way we can still get some bonus points for special content threads and getting more involved with the setting and more specific themes of the game.

[somnioergosum]

Short version: I go for option three but will take any of the other options that keep the bonus reward for more clearly defined special content.

Long version:
I don't have very strong opinions on this but I would most like to see bonus rewards for special content kept. I personally think it encourages more development for characters and CR as well as player plots. I would like to see more specific examples/rubric for what qualifies since there are times I look at my threads and think "I'm not sure."

I would like to keep the 1 point for under 150 words and 2 points for over. I'm biased in that I do write longer tags and also I have already been keeping track of word counts. It's a little stressful at first but eventually I think you get a feel for which tags have the potential to be over 150 and only check those. That said, I don't mind giving this up if that's what most people wants or is easiest. Having done it, I know it can take up some time. (I really sympathize with you, mod!)

[bringbackgold]

I like option 3 for the reasons listed above, mostly. Sometimes I like quick hits, sometimes I like long threads, and that helps me balance them. Also - yeah, I think I saw it mentioned, if people really want, they can just do a 1-point per if they don't feel like word-counting.

Also like incentives for doing the special things. :D

Though, to be honest, I don't think you'll go wrong regardless of how you do. ;) Offloading the majority of the work onto us is the way to go.

[signifies]

My vote for Option 4! And to keep the special content bonuses.

[bone_idle]

Option 4 - I find it kind of a hassle to write a tag and then go back like 'wait, was that over such and such words? do I need to note that somewhere?'. 1 point per tag with bonuses for clearly defined acts that promote interactivity (or other stuff that promotes a robust roleplaying environment) sounds sensible to me!

[leatherdaddy]

Option 4 sounds easier for everyone!

[legendary_hands]

I like option 4.. I might actually attempt to do points for something simple.