WSGF Launches Rep/Karma System

The WSGF has spent the last year planning and implementing our migration to Drupal. With the cross-over into 2012, we're at a point we were can start moving past migration, and begin building on the foundation we have laid. Two of the great things about Drupal are that: 1) it provides a consistent framework for the whole site (no more being split between phpBB, MediaWiki, etc), and 2) it's extensibility through plugin modules.

We're taking advantage of these two capabilities to launch a new Rep/Karma system across the entire site. This system will allow the site staff to easily find our most prolific users, and begin rewarding them appropriately. At the end of each quarter, I will look at the points list and see who is at the top of the list. The top Non-Insiders (assuming they have a high points count) will receive a game from their Steam wishlist (or some similar reward). Users who consistently hit the top of the list will be considered for Insider status. You can see the current standings with the "Users by points" link in the left nav, under your user menu.

Insiders will be rewarded during the seasonal Steam sales for their ongoing contributions with entries from their Wishlist. We will no longer be using the Steam sale to attract new users to the site, IRC, etc. It will be used to reward our Insiders. Insiders are also privy to the inner workings of the site, and get to help shape decisions, updates and improvements - such as the point values for the new Karma system.

Beginning in 2012, users will earn the following Rep/Karma points for the following contributions to the site:

• Forum Post (1 Per Each "Up" Vote) : Points are not given for just posting content to the site. Points are given for posting good content. Other users can "vote up" your post by clicking the "give rep" button.
• Monitor Entry (3) : Adding an entry to the monitor database will get you three points. This is an easy way to rack up points as it takes just a few minutes. Hopefully this will be enough incentive to help keep the database up to date. You don't even have to own the monitor to add the information. Most of the time it's all available on the manufacturer's website. Give it a try.
• Blog Post (5) : Did you know anyone can blog on the WSGF? We'd love to hear your thoughts on gaming and hardware, and help build our community voice. Check out the list of blog entries, and then write your own. The best submissions will also be posted to our home page news feed.
• Image Gallery (5 + .5 per image) : The WSGF has a large collection of screenshot galleries. Most are multi-monitor screenshots, but some are 3D or widescreen. Create a gallery and you'll get 5 points. For each image in the gallery you'll get another half point. Create yours today.
• Updated Detailed Report (10) : Many of the Detailed Reports in our Games Database are incomplete. If you can supply the needed information, the staff will award you 10 points.
• Complete Detailed Report (20) : If you add a new game to the database, then you will be awarded 20 points for the effort. This does need to be a complete entry, with reasonable attempts made at finding Eyefinity/Surround solutions (as needed). DR entries are the lifeblood of the site, and we want to reward users who take the time to help increase the size of our database.
• Video (50) : Making a good video takes a long time, especially Eyefinity/Surround videos. Videos approved by the WSGF staff and uploaded to our YT channel will net their creator 50 points. There are a few caveats: 1) the video must be your original creation, 2) the video must be more than just raw gameplay footage (make it a review, a tutorial on how to implement an Eyefinity/Surround fix, or comparison between widescreen and multi-monitor), 3) you accept the fact that a WSGF introduction will be added to the video and that the video may be monetized on the WSGF channel (and you okay with donating any ad revenue to the WSGF).

All points values are subject to change as the system gets use.