[Sammygirl500]

I judge posts on the content, most of the time I forget the stars are even there. Most people probably feel the same way.

i meant to say unconsciously judge, of course no body really does it on purpose but we still do it

[John Moore]

and if they liked the picture on the side

I guess people hate me then.

[Bones47]

It's called http://simonesmith.hubpages.com/_esforum/hub/Intro-to-Gamification. It's a common technique now. Companies use it to encourage people to contribute more. It's not a game, but the mechanics are derived from games, so it's a good observation.

[maya papps]

And just to go back to the stars for a second, that's actually something I wish would go away. Not just on this forum but on all forums. It's a pretty pointless addition that just encourages pointless posting.

You're just jealous 'cause you only have two.

If we're comparing the forums to MMORGPs, then Skyrim General at the moment is that end-game bit where you grind endlessly before taking on the final boss. Great for your levelling, but mind-numbingly tedious.

I guess people hate me then.

You're cool, but I do picture you as Cartman and read all of your posts in his voice.

[Symone Velez]

let ask you guys this, if for some reason your 20k posts profile that you have had for over 5 years gets banned, would you think that it didn't matter it's just communication after all, or would be pissed off and never come back to the forums again?

[Lil Miss]

Well, in plumbing there's different ranks like apprentice, journeyman & master so does that mean being a plumber is an rpg?

[Noraima Vega]

let ask you guys this, if for some reason your 20k posts profile that you have had for over 5 years gets banned, would you think that it didn't matter it's just communication after all, or would be pissed off and never come back to the forums again?

I don't have 20k posts, but I've been here for more than five years, and yes, I'd be sad if this profile got banned. But I try to post within the rules of the forum (occasional drunken slip aside), so I hope that doesn't happen, and that if it did, the mods would at least give me fair warning first. They've always been fair with me in the past.

[Phillip Hamilton]

It's called http://simonesmith.hubpages.com/_esforum/hub/Intro-to-Gamification. It's a common technique now. Companies use it to encourage people to contribute more. It's not a game, but the mechanics are derived from games, so it's a good observation.

I remember back when I used to edit at Wikia a lot, two of the wikis I was a regular contributor at tried implementing an achievement system. Both got rid of it within a month because people were making pointless spam contributions and then reverting them, all to get a little bronze/silver/gold star on their user page. Quite a few bans were handed out before everyone just said "screw this" and did away with it.

[Michelle davies]

let ask you guys this, if for some reason your 20k posts profile that you have had for over 5 years gets banned, would you think that it didn't matter it's just communication after all, or would be pissed off and never come back to the forums again?

If there's something to discuss, of course I'd come back.

Likewise with an MMO. Why should having my level 100 pro toon banned stop me from playing the game if it's fun?

[Matthew Barrows]

Well, in plumbing there's different ranks like apprentice, journeyman & master so does that mean being a plumber is an rpg?

Nah, being a plumber is a platformer of course.

[Maria Garcia]

Well, in plumbing there's different ranks like apprentice, journeyman & master so does that mean being a plumber is an rpg?

yes, games don't necessarily need to be inside a box, they are all around us and we don't even notice.

[Matthew Barrows]

yes, games don't necessarily need to be inside a box, they are all around us and we don't even notice.

I play Grand Theft Auto every time I get in my car. Almost got caught the other day. Damn fuzz.

[candice keenan]

I play Grand Theft Auto every time I get in my car. Almost got caught the other day. Damn fuzz.

the trick is to run over 5 people only and then wait for your stars to go back to zero, then do it all over again.


anyways, i was thinking of adding a little picture but i'm not so sure anymore, maybe i'll go back to playing my original rpg games

[Shelby Huffman]

I play Grand Theft Auto every time I get in my car. Almost got caught the other day. Damn fuzz.

[Vicki Blondie]

I don't know whether forums would qualify as a game, but I don't reckon it's a stretch to think that most people are playing a role. What I post on here is (drunk postings aside) thought out and reread before I click "post". I think you get a lot of that on the net - in many cases you get the choice of a screen name and avatar, and it's a chance to start fresh in a way. I've heard the same thing said about people who use online dating sites. It can be one way to meet people, but it's only when you meet them in person that their real, spontaneous personalities really come out.
I bet there are a fair few studies that have looked into it, but I don't know any. May have to see if my old online Uni library login still works (when I'm sober).

Edit: I'm not saying that the majority of people are acting completely out of character, just that you get a chance to edit yourself online in a way that I don't think is quite as easy IRL.

[Brooks Hardison]

let ask you guys this, if for some reason your 20k posts profile that you have had for over 5 years gets banned, would you think that it didn't matter it's just communication after all, or would be pissed off and never come back to the forums again?

I abandoned my old profile that has 6,866 posts because I didn't like my username, that's how much I don't care.

[Steve Bates]

I abandoned my old profile that has 6,866 posts because I didn't like my username, that's how much I don't care.

You could have asked GStaff to change it. Andy's was changed recently - he had the underscore removed.

[noa zarfati]

let ask you guys this, if for some reason your 20k posts profile that you have had for over 5 years gets banned, would you think that it didn't matter it's just communication after all, or would be pissed off and never come back to the forums again?

I'd be a bit miffed, but then I'd remember that its the internet. I'd come back partly for the interesting conversations and partly to surprise people when a Layman starts talking about missing the old tan theme.

The "complete a task and get a reward" system is an argument that can really be applied to anything and has been around well before video games. Of course another word for this is a job. You complete a task for long enough and eventually get promoted to a more important position with a bigger paycheck. This is a hierarchical system that was incorporated into games from real life.

[Manny(BAKE)]

You could have asked GStaff to change it. Andy's was changed recently - he had the underscore removed.

Yes but they won't change it if it's a few letters.

[Alexandra walker]

You could have asked GStaff to change it. Andy's was changed recently - he had the underscore removed.

They don't change names, they only correct grammar and mistakes. Doesn't really matter though.

[AnDres MeZa]

I abandoned my old profile that has 6,866 posts because I didn't like my username, that's how much I don't care.

incorrect, that's how much you do care, you abandoned your old profile with 6k posts because "you didn't like your username" that says something about what you want to portray in the forums.

[Minako]

incorrect, that's how much you do care, you abandoned your old profile with 6k posts because "you didn't like your username" that says something about what you want to portray in the forums.

I thought we were talking about the forum being a game, and how much posts matter?

[Penny Courture]

incorrect, that's how much you do care, you abandoned your old profile with 6k posts because "you didn't like your username" that says something about what you want to portray in the forums.

But your main point was that he cared about his post count the most which just isn't true.

[Elizabeth Lysons]

if we all played ourself we would all use our real names and our faces as the profile picture, and nobody does, therefore i do think that we are all playing a role.

I do use my real name and picture. I'm Jerhicco, the explorer monkey from the 19th century, nice to meet you Skyrem the anon.

[Steven Hardman]

I thought we were talking about the forum being a game, and how much posts matter?

actually i was talking about being an rpg, you are playing a role in the forums, and there is some sort of advancement system, it might not be 100% rpg, but it does seem to have the aspects you need to make an rpg.