The Current XP System Needs an Overhaul
Apr 6, 2021 21:01:31 GMT -5
Nashua, Yogu, and 3 more like this
Post by Amara on Apr 6, 2021 21:01:31 GMT -5
I'm saying this as an explicit benefactor to the current way XP is gained: the current system of a flat rate awarded per post to be granted at the end is not a good one. I advocate for a return to either an auto-graded or a manually graded system wherein XP is awarded per word, with a key difference being that the gain rate for every character is a flat one. Be that 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, or some other value I think that it needs to be implemented. As somebody with the highest total post count on a single character and somebody who has made some progress through double malus roughly three weeks into release - looking at certain players or characters who put much more time, effort, and words into single posts and can only do so infrequently that still end up gaining the same XP for that post as I did for mine seems extremely unfair. Trying to band-aid the current system when, at its' core, it already explicitly disfavors those who write longer infrequent posts is not a good plan. Adding either subjective staff grading for quality during review would not only open the door to extreme accusations of bias but also make the job of said staff longer to grade threads in the first place.
To go over a few counterpoints:
1. It is too early into the site's lifespan
> To say this is patently false. Three weeks progress with posters like myself already blasting to Malus without much effort while slower posters fall behind should be proof enough. Additionally, the earlier a problem like this is fixed the better. Allowing it to fester for days, weeks, possibly even months while it should be clear it is a negative should be a considered option. If not this exact proposed fix, SOMETHING needs to be done about it.
2. Higher WC posters will gain more in the long run
> The argument here is that these slower burn quality posters will gain bigger spikes once their threads are actually finished and graded. Post count is rarely directly connected to thread length (except in the case where posters do nothing to move the thread forward in the first place) but WC posts are often associated with progressing threads faster by requiring fewer posts. The faster poster will finish two or three threads in the same time that it takes them to finish one, even if they get one to two pages more in the end. In addition, slower posters will normally fall behind for a long time before moving up to the same level briefly before plummeting back down. This isn't very helpful for those wishing to participate in larger ATs and are in the middle of grading valleys.
3. WC based grading opens the door to padding
> Not only would open incentivization in the current system for longer posts also entice padding, but I don't think that certain styles of RPers should suffer in the name of dealing with padders who are already a minority in the community, to begin with. If excessive padding is repeatedly demonstrated in post after post not only will most regular members feel a loss of interest in threading with them, but anti-grind measures can and will be strictly enforced in these cases.
4. Flat rate gain helps longer posters not get criticized OOCly
> There's a lot to consider here. It is a fact that people who frequently posted longer posts on World of Dragonball sometimes faced distaste and accusations of being a grinder. Still, is it better for these people to stop worrying about occasionally getting harassed over their post length for the sake of being stunted in terms of growth? It would be wise of you to confront and summarily deal with those who keep complaining about those with long posts. Someone who's taken the time to write and publish a well-written post on something that is clearly not padded, well that's fine. Anti-grind will be applied when it is needed to be.
5. Switching the system mid-site is a bad idea
> The idea that it would be better to cling to an inherently flawed system that will never solve the problem is a bad idea in my mind. Many people may prefer the current system for all kinds of reasons, and it would be a massive undertaking to make such sweeping changes. The Sparking community is still relatively new, making large changes now rather than later will help retain certain types of posters as well as have a lower impact on those getting used to Sparking's current grading system.
To go over a few counterpoints:
1. It is too early into the site's lifespan
> To say this is patently false. Three weeks progress with posters like myself already blasting to Malus without much effort while slower posters fall behind should be proof enough. Additionally, the earlier a problem like this is fixed the better. Allowing it to fester for days, weeks, possibly even months while it should be clear it is a negative should be a considered option. If not this exact proposed fix, SOMETHING needs to be done about it.
2. Higher WC posters will gain more in the long run
> The argument here is that these slower burn quality posters will gain bigger spikes once their threads are actually finished and graded. Post count is rarely directly connected to thread length (except in the case where posters do nothing to move the thread forward in the first place) but WC posts are often associated with progressing threads faster by requiring fewer posts. The faster poster will finish two or three threads in the same time that it takes them to finish one, even if they get one to two pages more in the end. In addition, slower posters will normally fall behind for a long time before moving up to the same level briefly before plummeting back down. This isn't very helpful for those wishing to participate in larger ATs and are in the middle of grading valleys.
3. WC based grading opens the door to padding
> Not only would open incentivization in the current system for longer posts also entice padding, but I don't think that certain styles of RPers should suffer in the name of dealing with padders who are already a minority in the community, to begin with. If excessive padding is repeatedly demonstrated in post after post not only will most regular members feel a loss of interest in threading with them, but anti-grind measures can and will be strictly enforced in these cases.
4. Flat rate gain helps longer posters not get criticized OOCly
> There's a lot to consider here. It is a fact that people who frequently posted longer posts on World of Dragonball sometimes faced distaste and accusations of being a grinder. Still, is it better for these people to stop worrying about occasionally getting harassed over their post length for the sake of being stunted in terms of growth? It would be wise of you to confront and summarily deal with those who keep complaining about those with long posts. Someone who's taken the time to write and publish a well-written post on something that is clearly not padded, well that's fine. Anti-grind will be applied when it is needed to be.
5. Switching the system mid-site is a bad idea
> The idea that it would be better to cling to an inherently flawed system that will never solve the problem is a bad idea in my mind. Many people may prefer the current system for all kinds of reasons, and it would be a massive undertaking to make such sweeping changes. The Sparking community is still relatively new, making large changes now rather than later will help retain certain types of posters as well as have a lower impact on those getting used to Sparking's current grading system.