Player Recognition and Awards

[Tarlin]

First off, thanks MadMikael for the inspiration to create this as a new suggestions post. For those interested this post started due to comments comprised within this post: viewtopic.php?f=4&p=91069#p91069

This post is to decidedly ask for some way to recognize players for steadfast dedication, contributions to the game, rare accomplishments within the game, loyalty and service to other players and other achievements of the sort. We all know that 'Special' skins were created with the intent of honoring those who made a significant contribution in some way to the game. These concept though has been muddied in some ways as it is now a level gift for reaching certain milestones with your characters levels, and these milestones can be purchased through buying levels. Long standing players in the game have voiced that this removes the title of 'Special' from the skins and made them less of a badge of honor.

I am proposing a new system of recognition for players that have made significant contribution to the game or community. This would be in the form of a title/achievements system. A true badge of honor would be shown by being a player running through the marshes with an extra line of text above his characters name that displays a title for a significant contribution. As stated in the post linked above, if a player were to discover, report, give a description on how to replicate, and the overall negative effect of a bug or exploit in the game, and it gets fixed. He can be awarded the title "Bug Smasher" This would display in the game as:

(your character image here)
Bug Smasher
Tarlin

Additionally, if a player is to select the option to inspect another player (The big (I) when you select a player by clicking on them) it will display their title above their name. I also think it would be nice to have a selectable tab in this section, so you can see any and all of the titles or achievements earned by a player, the date awarded, and a synopsis of why it was given. A simple quote or statement to the effect of, "For heroically slaying a bug found on 01/22/2018". Not an exact format but you get the idea. Something that is within keeping of the storyline and medieval theme of the game.

This type of reward system will allow people to accumulate multiple recognitions for the continued efforts to the game and community, and to display them as they will. Another concept to this title system is it can also help to develop player 'Guides' in game.

Take for instance that a player has been a substantial help to the new players within the world and community of FT, this player earns the title "Newbie Guide". This can be a toggle-able title. Therefore, if the player is in a mood to really just help out the new players, he can stand in the spawn area of 0.0 grid map, toggle the "Newbie Guide" or "New Player Guide" title, and assist those with questions or who have become last at the start of their journeys. This will help alleviate some of the requirements of the GM staff, leaving them open to handle more pressing matters, and also will support new players in becoming long standing members of the FT community. If the individual with this title needs to go level, complete a quest, defend his clans base, etc., and is not in a position to be able to answer these questions or concerns in a timely manner (or just does not feel like being social at that time), he can then toggle this title off. This title will still be able to be seen however if a player inspects the character and selects the titles/achievements tab.

Just a few thoughts on a new recognition system with some examples of implementation and usage. This is not an end-all idea by any means and I welcome input and suggestions to better recognize a player who has given a significant accomplishment or gain to the FT community or game itself.

Thanks for reading

[MadMikael]

Wow, nice.
I really like the idea of toggling it on and off for "display to others" as well - so you can decide to show it off or not, as some titles would likely get more attention.
There is a lot of potential here, too.

Several players have expressed past interests for marks of distinction, such as helpful player, or trusted, etc.
They don't want to be a GM - but they are known to be helpful; and those players deserve a lot of credit IMO.

I would say, some titles should be earned by game play, some by contributions, and even some as punishment.

Scammers - remember those? Yeah, they still happen. The list is sooooooo long.....
A non-removable or replaceable title of scammer should be permanently applied to them
...well, maybe, after a probation period, it could be consider for lifting.... some do learn, eventually

But, game play ones as well - titles you could achieve for certain feats
Developing trade skills, killing certain monsters, killing players, whatever... there are so many possibilities

I really hope something like this gets considered.
This is a new take on some widely supported ideas among the community.

Just one thing I'd add - when you log on your account, you should be able to see your own name, level, and title, briefly (maybe 20 seconds), so you know how you will appear to others.

[death911]

I think good idea but i don't quite understand one thing.
Are we supposed to write our special achievements In this thread?

[MadMikael]

I think good idea but i don't quite understand one thing.
Are we supposed to write our special achievements In this thread?

The above suggestions are for this to be added - if you want to boast current achievements, there are some existing topics in other forums, like the world records post. Or you can always start your own Off-Topic or Clans would be best for that, I think.

This is the suggestions forum - so your suggestions are most welcome!
If you have ideas for titles, how the system should/could work, or whether you support/disapprove of the idea are things you should post here.
Let's see if we can all bring ideas together on this - and maybe, entice compbatant to implement it

[Tarlin]

I think good idea but i don't quite understand one thing.
Are we supposed to write our special achievements In this thread?

Currently this thread is just to suggest a form of recognizing players who have made special achievements. That being said, suggestions for names of titles, ways to get achievements, achievements that can be obtainable or things of that sort are more than welcome. So in a word, Yes. If you feel that you have made a significant contribution in some way, please explain the contribution, how you made this contribution, and what title you would feel would suit this contribution. This will only help the suggestion to create a more tangible implimentation into the game itself.

Mad, I love the idea having achievements for in game feats as well. Most MMO's have some sort of a system of achievements for players to strive for. This is made up usually in a achievements/sub-achievements sort of form. Basically it is like a quest guide, but instead it is a achievement path instead. For example, say a player is crafting swords, armors and various other weaponry, at some point he can complete an achievement, and earn the title, "Master Blacksmith". With this being said though there are a series of requirements and tiers along the way to earning this title.
"Novice Blacksmith" - Attained after a player has successfully crafted his/her first item and started the path of skilling in the blacksmithing job. This achievement is the beginning of a sub series of achievements in the Blacksmith achievements path, therefore does not have an obtainable title assigned to it.
"Apprentice Blacksmith" - (Must complete all requirements of Novice Blacksmith) Player has reached level 4 Blacksmithing, crafted 30 swords, 30 legs, 30 chest plates, 30 gloves, 25 helmets and 15 shields, this player has also smelted more than 500 pieces of ore in a furnace. Each of this would be in individually completeable achievement, although, a player will not be awarded with apprentice blacksmith title until all achievements have been complete.
"Journeyman Blacksmith" - (Must complete all requirements of Apprentice blacksmith) Player has reached level 8 in Blacksmithing; crafted 60 2-handed weapons; crafted 105 helmets; crafted 75 shields; crafted 120 chest armors; crafted 120 leg armors; crafted 90 pairs of boots; smelted more than 2500 bars of various metal; And has completed the quest, "A Journeymans duties"
"Master Blacksmith" - (Must complete all requirements of Journeyman Blacksmith) Player has reached level 14 of Blacksmithing; Crafted 500 of every item type in blacksmithing; smelted more than 25,000 ores into bars; created at least 500 +1 items, 350 +2 items and 175 +3 items; has complete the quest "Master Blacksmiths Responsibilities"

Having new quests assigned to the ability to gain the next achievement will add a new level of depth to the game as well as create more goals for a player. These quests would obviously become more labor intensive and time consuming as the level of proficiency in the achievement path increases.

This would also open up new potential systems to explore such as 'Crafting Guilds'. A place on the map a player, who has sufficiently met the requirements of a certain skill, can go to in order to more readily access the materials required in that trade craft. This area would be a perilous journey to get to and would require more than just being proficient in a skill. You would need to be able to withstand the evils that lurk between you and the glory that awaits for you at the "Master Blacksmiths Anvil" ontop of the "Volcano of Freya". This volcano is guarded by insurmountable danger as the fire god herself has placed her minions at the gates of the enterance to the guild, only the most accomplished may pass.

Just some suggestions

[death911]

Oh ok. Understood.
By the way nice suggestions.

[Leone]

I like this as well.

Two things about the toggle on/off:

1 how would it work when a player is a master crafter, but also a new player helper and apprentice tree chopper (names are a work in progress btw!). It wouldn't be sensible to have all titles on display.

2 toggle on/off should not be an option for those being punished, for example a scammer

[MadMikael]

I like this as well.

Two things about the toggle on/off:

1 how would it work when a player is a master crafter, but also a new player helper and apprentice tree chopper (names are a work in progress btw!). It wouldn't be sensible to have all titles on display.

2 toggle on/off should not be an option for those being punished, for example a scammer

I would envision it as, you can only choose one title to display at a time - although, you could hold several titles at once.
This was how I saw Tarlin's suggestion of using the "i" inspect option on another player, to see all their titles.

And yes, punishment titles such as "scammer" would not be able to be removed, replaced, or hidden by the player.
We all want those players to be easily recognized

[Tarlin]

I think that a "Negative Title" would be imposed upon a person only after multiple or subsequent violations of a certain rule or rule set have been violated. This is a case-by-case setup as a punishment to a player and in my opinion would supersede any other titles for a set duration of time. This sort of system would probably be established an defined by only the GM's and Compbatant therefore not sure how much input to this sort of system a player may have.

As for player achievements and selectable titles, this could be easily implemented by having a toggle box next to any title that has been achieved. A player at this point can choice which accomplishment that they want to show off to the community as a badge of honor. A player throughout their progress within the game would undoubtedly earn multiple achievements and titles, but may see one title as more desirable than another. For instance the title "Master Blacksmith" may not be as desirable to a player as a title "Lion Tamer" (for whatever achievement may have issued this title), and so the player chooses not to display their "Master Blacksmith" although this might have been more difficult to achieve for the average person.

Certainly, I agree that only 1 title should be able to be displayed at one time. These titles, or badges of honor, should certainly be inter-changeable and selectable by the players themselves.

[Tarlin]

: Show

I like this as well.

Two things about the toggle on/off:

1 how would it work when a player is a master crafter, but also a new player helper and apprentice tree chopper (names are a work in progress btw!). It wouldn't be sensible to have all titles on display.

2 toggle on/off should not be an option for those being punished, for example a scammer

I would envision it as, you can only choose one title to display at a time - although, you could hold several titles at once.
This was how I saw Tarlin's suggestion of using the "i" inspect option on another player, to see all their titles.

And yes, punishment titles such as "scammer" would not be able to be removed, replaced, or hidden by the player.
We all want those players to be easily recognized

Hehe, Mad beat me to it. Grrr for me being a subpar speed typer