Forum badges

[Simcity11100 772]

Now I understand the idea of being able to select your own badge was brought up, but I have a different idea.  Now the previous idea was was like allowing you to choose any badge without unlocking them however I think there's a simple way around it.  It's like what plug does, you can choose your avatar, but only the ones you unlock and you have to spend points in order to get the avatar.  Instead of avatars, it's forum badges, you see, we don't really need to get rid of the unlocking thing, but I think you should be able to keep said badge even if you unlock the next one like right now I have the dragon badge, but if I hit 1200, then it automatically go straight to changeling, but what if I want to keep using dragon, well as far as I'm concerned, you can't.  So I guess what I'm suggesting is to have the ability to keep using the same badge or switch to any that has already been unlocked without saying good bye to the previous ones.  But please do keep the unlocking feature around just cause so people still have something to work for.  Please understand I'm not trying to bring up the exact same idea but a similar yet different one.

[Jeric 46,854]

I've always been leery of a currency system personally. Every board that installs one feels that they need to find ways to use it making it feel forced. More worrisome is what eventually happens (usually when there are several new staffers) is that previously available elements are not locked required to use currency to use them. What used to be free now requires inventory and transaction planning. Also, badges are linked to permission groups, and the more of those there are, the more difficult it becomes to manage. This creates tech gaps and glitches. 

[Simcity11100 772]

Well I didn't exactly mean currency system I just meant allowing users to choose a badge that they already unlocked without it being gone forever.  Oh ok, well I guess there's no hope for something like this then?

Edited December 12, 2014 by Simcity11100

[NavelColt 22,881]

Well I didn't exactly mean currency system I just meant allowing users to choose a badge that they already unlocked without it being gone forever.  Oh ok, well I guess there's no hope for something like this then?

 

That's essentially the same question that's always been asked. I'm not sure how the wording was different; the base idea of members in some shape or form being able to keep badges they've unlocked or choosing any badge they've unlocked in the past, isn't going to happen, cuz reasons:

 

Midnight Shadow, this is not a Site Question or a Technical Issue. This is a Feedback or Suggestion. I'll move it there. This was already addressed within a prior thread related to Ranks/Badges that you made, but I will elucidate. They are a fun little extra based on post count and in a sense it is that participation in the community the awards them to members. In short ... they are earned ... a gift for the most important aspect of MLP Forums ... our users adding to the discussion, and being part of the conversation. This is nothing more essential to a thriving message board than that. 

 

They are earned.

~ http://mlpforums.com/topic/115269-the-return-of-the-ranks/?p=3278653

[Simcity11100 772]

That's essentially the same question that's always been asked. I'm not sure how the wording was different; the base idea of members in some shape or form being able to keep badges they've unlocked or choosing any badge they've unlocked in the past, isn't going to happen, cuz reasons:

 

~ http://mlpforums.com/topic/115269-the-return-of-the-ranks/?p=3278653

But if I want to keep my badge then I would post less and besides, if they want to keep posting on the forum, then it's because they like the forums, not exactly because of badges and if they want the next badge then they will still try and get it if that's what their going for.  I mean look at plug, even though they might have unlocked the avatars they wanted on there, doesn't mean they stop sharing music, just means they unlocked the avatars.  You don't see people stop sharing music on there just cause they unlocked the avatar they wanted.  So honestly in the long run I think this would be beneficial and would make them more worth while to have.  Also just cause you can select any badge you previously unlocked doesn't exactly mean they aren't a milestone anymore, they still are.  The only difference is that now you can select the badge you want so long as you've unlocked it.  honestly it would be more encouraging to have the ability to select the badge you've unlocked instead of it going away forever and it might even add role playing value if used with the avatar that the person posting has.  And if you want a milestone system then give cleaver titles depending on the milestone like how many brohoofs they gave or how many post they made like the badges but instead of the badges, it's clever titles, you know, like in an mmo.  And the badges can be used for roleplaying or something like that.  And best part about this is that they cater the best of both worlds.  I mean don't get me wrong, badges should still have post requirements but let titles do the talking when it comes to forum achievements or something like that and let badges be like for roleplaying or something like that.

Edited December 13, 2014 by Simcity11100

[Fhaolan 4,484]

It's unfortunately the same problem with any of the alternate badge concepts. IP.Board (the forum software) is based in old tech, and old methodologies. Breaking the connection between the badges and current post count, even to the extent of just making past badges available, is going to take a lot of custom coding work, and our tech team is kinda occupied with other higher-priority work.

 

Heck, just creating the Christmas Donor badge for those who donated to the Making Christmas Merrier, has broken some of the forum functions, and requires constant fiddling by the admins to keep regular subscribers and donors from getting messed up by it. All because the connection between 'badge' and 'user permissions' seems to be hard-coded into the system.

 

If MLPF moves to a different code-base in the future, this idea becomes more viable. But at the moment, my understanding is that it's just not worth the heartache.

[Simcity11100 772]

It's unfortunately the same problem with any of the alternate badge concepts. IP.Board (the forum software) is based in old tech, and old methodologies. Breaking the connection between the badges and current post count, even to the extent of just making past badges available, is going to take a lot of custom coding work, and our tech team is kinda occupied with other higher-priority work.

 

Heck, just creating the Christmas Donor badge for those who donated to the Making Christmas Merrier, has broken some of the forum functions, and requires constant fiddling by the admins to keep regular subscribers and donors from getting messed up by it. All because the connection between 'badge' and 'user permissions' seems to be hard-coded into the system.

 

If MLPF moves to a different code-base in the future, this idea becomes more viable. But at the moment, my understanding is that it's just not worth the heartache.

All right, well I guess waiting it is then...  But thanks for the answer and you too Luna.

Edited December 13, 2014 by Simcity11100