I was wondering about Openstudy's features, namely the game mechanics (badges, level system, achievements).

Are you guys planning to introduce more such features? The badge system seems to do alright as a 'game-oriented' incentive for folks to participate.

Also, unrelated but still: Whenever I refresh I keep seeing Shadow and co. (usually Chris)'s avatars instead of people's other avatars. This only happens while things are loading but it creeps me out :( are you guys on to me? :-P Thanks and keep up the good work

Question

I was wondering about Openstudy's features, namely the game mechanics (badges, level system, achievements).

Are you guys planning to introduce more such features? The badge system seems to do alright as a 'game-oriented' incentive for folks to participate.

Also, unrelated but still: Whenever I refresh I keep seeing Shadow and co. (usually Chris)'s avatars instead of people's other avatars. This only happens while things are loading but it creeps me out :( are you guys on to me? :-P Thanks and keep up the good work

anonymous · Answer

The refresh thing with Shadow's avatar is not a bug or targeted at you. Please refer to myininaya's question a few below yours.

anonymous · Answer

So it's actually a 'feature', and not a bug?

anonymous · Answer

Well, not a feature. And it occurs more when the load takes longer.

It is an expected mechanic, I would say.

anonymous · Answer

it appears always but whne site loads very fast you can hardly see it

farmdawgnation · Answer

We are constantly having discussions about where we're going to go next with the game elements of the site. We've been tossing around a lot of different ideas - but we're going to keep them under wraps until we're ready for them to launch. Mostly because we like to keep you guys in suspense. :)

anonymous · Answer

Game elements need to be seriously re-thought. Not in the context of "rewarding" help. But, in the context of rating people who submit questions. There should be a way to tag and highlight serial homework cheaters and answer seekers that infest this site. If I were you guys, I would also not allow people to post more than one outstanding question. At least, not allow same question to be posted over and over. That is a big problem.