[36810]

We need your input in naming a Trophy Category (You can earn trophies by carrying out different actions).

This trophy category is awarded based on the total number of a user’s threads and thread responses posted to the forums. Incentivizing discourse with trophies will improve community engagement and discussion activity.

Please take a look at the Poll and give us your input on what this type of trophy should be called.

Feel free to shoot over any questions.

 

[LeonardoDaBenz]

Do you not find this sufficient?

 

[lesblank]

Trophies are a mute point to most. But was resently in a conversation with a newer member who stated seeing a high trophy count on a member gave him confidence that the person had given good feedback on the forum. Yes, there are those who reply to just about anything, but on my forums that's a small amount. There's a group on almost every forum that give accurate answers to the issue or concern being posted, new member seek their input. I would actually like to see the thopies expanded a little to include points for time a member has been on forum, each year gets you X amount of additional points, and points for posts for each thousand posts, 2k posts give you an additional X amount of points, 3k gets you more, etc. Will most really care, no. But newer posters, at least on forums I'm part of, actually pay attention to this. Aren't new members normally seeking good feedback, yes. So let them at a glance see who the senior members are.

 

[36810]

Do you not find this sufficient?
View attachment 6694

We're doing some initial research to potentially expand these!

 

[36810]

Trophies are a mute point to most. But was resently in a conversation with a newer member who stated seeing a high trophy count on a member gave him confidence that the person had given good feedback on the forum. Yes, there are those who reply to just about anything, but on my forums that's a small amount. There's a group on almost every forum that give accurate answers to the issue or concern being posted, new member seek their input. I would actually like to see the thopies expanded a little to include points for time a member has been on forum, each year gets you X amount of additional points, and points for posts for each thousand posts, 2k posts give you an additional X amount of points, 3k gets you more, etc. Will most really care, no. But newer posters, at least on forums I'm part of, actually pay attention to this. Aren't new members normally seeking good feedback, yes. So let them at a glance see who the senior members are.

I love that you mentioned Points, we are definitely looking into this and we agree, Points could be a vital part of forum engagement and activity-based pointing could be the way to go.

The trophy you mentioned = Seniority Trophy, which we are currently looking into and scoping out. The second one you mentioned re: 2k post gives you additional points, is an expansion (future state) of what this thread's trophy could be about (rewarding points which in turn could reward trophies based on level of engagement on posts and replies). Please do make sure to Vote @lesblank.

Great feedback, thank you!

 

[VS_Lee]

Humble Brag!

 

[AG Jeff]

Looking forward to more betterer trophies and this rep system.

I know @ENTERPRISE is also.

Jeff

 

[Superburban]

How do we factor in relevancy?

Member A, comes along and posts a thread on his theory of the earth being flat, and gets 100 replies disagreeing.

Member B constantly asks dumb questions, and gets a lot of replies.

Member C asks a serious question, and gets a lot of back and forth discussion concerning the best possible solutions.

Member D does not start much threads, but spends a lot of time, and posts helping others.

 

[lesblank]

You are correct about points/trophies being given for trolling responses might be miss leading. When I'm researching for good advice, a simple click on user, then take a quick glance at a few of the member's replies, this answers the question if the poster knows topics or just posting to post. Takes all of about 10 seconds. Works well for me on VS forums.

 

[Superburban]

a simple click on user, then take a quick glance at a few of the member's replies, this answers the question if the poster knows topics or just posting to post. Takes all of about 10 seconds. Works well for me on VS forums.

But how does one put that into code, to automatically award points?

 

[lesblank]

The option to add points are already in the Admin Portal:

I have not altered the settings as VS set them up as their experience seemed fit. You couldn't separate from quality post and others. It would be up to the person seeking advice to investigate the user postings. But a points/trophy expansion would give a new user a tool to narrow down an experienced members posts. Fortunately the forums I'm part of are pretty good at calling out a BS reply in a problem solving thread, motorcycle forums seem to have thick skinned members and voice opinions freely. So my question to all, do you feel points/trophies benefits a new user or just inflates a poster's ego that has a lot of post. After several conversations with new members, I see it as a tool to grow sites.

 

[OkDually]

So my question to all, do you feel points/trophies benefits a new user or just inflates a poster's ego that has a lot of post. After several conversations with new members, I see it as a tool to grow sites.

Trophies/points can be a valuable tool creating engagement amongst members..
It can also be an ego booster to some.

Since the changeover, some of the older members in our community who ride under the "Seniority" rule are now seeing some younger/newer members' trophies/points going above them creating some commentary on it and creating a little more engagement.
When I am on I am seeing more and more dormant accounts coming back in and engaging in threads. Many of those old dormant accounts are first-time posters.

The engagement is definitely noticeable

 

[OkDually]

Trophies/points can be a valuable tool creating engagement amongst members..
It can also be an ego booster to some.

Since the changeover, some of the older members in our community who ride under the "Seniority" rule are now seeing some younger/newer members' trophies/points going above them creating some commentary on it and creating a little more engagement.
When I am on I am seeing more and more dormant accounts coming back in and engaging in threads. Many of those old dormant accounts are first-time posters.

The engagement is definitely noticeable

This can be an invaluable tool if built upon and used.
Take for instance the Reddit site. They use trophies and allow members to hand out awards to posters.
Certain awards in Reddit lead to upgraded membership periods, coins to use to buy more awards, etc.

They have essentially gamified the boards and it leads to enhanced engagements..
VS could up the game and enhance the trophies to give members a month's free trial of premium or added posting perks like coins to buy trophies to hand out to other members.
There is a lot of potential with this system

 

[Avel Du]

I'd rather that we had a forum awarded badge/trophy for 'contributor' that shows with the avatar.

As listed, there is plenty for number of threads/posts, but a contributor would be someone who is helpful and responds to member issues on the forum theme.

I have a massive thread/post count, but I often refer to those regulars with expertise on the subject.
I have knowledge, but nowhere near their expertise.

Those posting issues would see that a reply comes from a trusted forum member rather than a happy poster.

Whilst I get the desire for discourse to keep forums alive, the trophies feel a bit FB to me.
Shiny veneer, but no depth.

 

[Superburban]

Whilst I get the desire for discourse to keep forums alive, the trophies feel a bit FB to me.
Shiny veneer, but no depth.

Well said. We have members that post a lot of "I agrees", or quick answers with no thought as to what the persons problem is. So to me, post count, or even recent post count, does not give much weight. I like the like button, that is attached to an individual post, we did not have that before. I would like to see a dislike, or do not agree, but I know it will lead to some butts getting stuffed up.

Maybe a score that includes the likes given, amongst post count, and other factors, and shows on the persons avatar, or signature.

 

[lesblank]

Maybe a score that includes the likes given, amongst post count, and other factors, and shows on the persons avatar, or signature.

Good thought, but how about likes received rather than likes given. A liked comment is one that normally help resolve a situation, shown in appreciation or is positive.

 

[Superburban]

Good thought, but how about likes received rather than likes given. A liked comment is one that normally help resolve a situation, shown in appreciation or is positive.

You are right, I was thinking as in likes given to a reply. But yes, likes received is a better way to describe what I was thinking. I'll put my brain to rest, and give myself a time out.

 

[Superburban]

Maybe some sort of rotating tag for the Avatar. Like a member of the month deal.

 

[36810]

^This is all VERY valuable, and frankly, fantastic feedback.

Thank you again and please do keep the conversation going, we're certainly taking notes!

 

[lesblank]

Is there a different point/trophy system being considered? Can we on a site level add to the point level in the mean time. Having conversations with members on multiple forums the opinion is of a small point increase for years on forum, increase points for certain thresholds of likes and increase for per additional 1000 posts. Seems many new members do pay attention to the points and seek their input. Just something to consider for certain forums.