Removal of Combat Ability

[Kaden]

How about make it so that - perhaps with a bit of free license when you're new to the RPG - you can't request feedback/a reward unless you yourself have given feedback.

Or even give monthly awards (a link to DA CHEIVES?!) for the best feedbackers.

That's definitely something to consider as a solution. I like the idea of rewarding people for actively giving feedback/grading threads.

What CA essentially is is a leaderboard. You can see just how much you have written compared to other, older members on the site. You can set goals for yourself - Today I'm going to post an entry long enough to beat <user_name>'s CA! Sure, you might be discouraged on a macro level - nobody looks at Vic's score and is, like, "Totally gonna get that in a week." However, it can be extremely motivating on a micro level as you claw your way up the page rankings one post at a time. As soon as I'd post, I'd run over to check just how I did on CA.

...

So, yeah, you kill CA and you lose a new(ish) member, which seems to be what you're trying to avoid. Interesting.

So you basically used CA as Gamerscore. A number attached to your account that had little-to-no bearing on your other gaming activities.

Would the inclusion of other meta-game mechanics (which is what Gamerscore is) keep your interest? I'm talking about things like Achievements or, as Sigfried called them, static-world events? Or is it actually the number, a direct comparison to other accounts, what was doing it for you?

I understand the pessimism Mario; maybe I'm too hopeful.

As Rose is pushing, though, I'm certain there's a way to make it work. Perhaps some sort of system where a thread may not be submitted for review unless the individual is actively providing feedback herself. And not meager feedback either, but something substantial: something that makes it clear the individual actually has read the work of others, and is intelligently suggesting a sufficient reward.

Put another way, if people don't want to bother reading their peers' work and making sure they're duly rewarded, fuck 'em. I, for one, would bother, and would bother often.

I really wish it were just pessimism talking. I honestly do. I'm always willing to give people a chance to surprise me, but it rarely works out favorably. The couple of examples that come right off the top of my head are any of the numerous C&C threads we have here or the grading system on AD or even some of the quest judging here. It's a great system on paper and it doesn't feel like asking people very much of people, but... there you have it.

Like I said though, I'm always willing to give people a chance to surprise me. However, asking people to include a thoughtful -- or even relevant, in some cases -- feedback along with their grading of a thread sounds like too much. Honestly, I'd be ok with something as simple as "good read, I'd give it 15 XP."... Ok... that might be pessimism.