The Forum Rank System

[Fighter1405]

Note: This information is now out of date. Please scroll down to the last post in the thread for the current configuration.

Hi all,

In order to curb what we believe is an over reliance on post count resulting in increased spam on the forums we have decided to implement a new ranking system, based on three factors: reputation, registration date and post count. This new system is designed to reward members who actually make a positive contribution to the forums, rather than just members that post a lot. As such not only will the new ranks be tied in with those three factors, but also forum privileges. At each new rank a new forum privilege or two is enabled on your account, although we are keeping what they are secret for now for the purposes of excitement and suspense

Here is an overview of the new ranks, the requirements needed to obtain them and the reward for reaching each rank:

Usertitle Reputation Requirement Post Requirement Min. Days Registered Reward Beggar - - - - Farm Hand 0 - - - Villager 15 50 7 Max PM recipients (5->10) Tradesperson 20 100 30 Can leave reputation Artisan 30 200 60 Signature Image Merchant 50 300 90 PM box increase (100->150) Philosopher 70 500 120 PM box increase(150->200) Senator 100 1000 180 ??? Consul 150 2000 365 ???

(Note: If you no longer meet the requirements for a rank you will be demoted again. New ranks are calculated automatically every hour, so when you meet the requirements do not expect an immediate upgrade.)

As the reputation system is the most complicated of the three factors, and for most of you the least familiar of the three, I shall do my best to explain it here

The reputation system has two distinct ratings: Reputation Score and Reputation Power.

Reputation Score is an attribute of each member that indicates the quality of the member's posts as rated by other active members. A member's Reputation Score increases when other members who have reputation power approve posts by that member by clicking on the "Rate this Post" link to the left of the post. A member's reputation score can be seen by the number of small green squares in the upper right hand corner of any posts by that member. Comments given to a member can be viewed by that member in his or her profile.

Reputation Power is the amount by which a member can affect another member's Reputation Score. Reputation Power takes into account length of membership and Reputation Score. Specifically you gain 1 reputation power for every 4 months registered and every 20 reputation points gained. A member's Reputation Power can be seen in the upper right hand corner of any post by that member.

The green, blue, and red squares in the Latest Reputation Received table on the My Profile page denote the effect of the comment on your Reputation Score. If the rater approved the post, and at the time of commenting had a positive Reputation Power, the square will be green. If the rater had no Reputation Power the square will be blue. And if the rater disapproved the post the square will be red.

In order to ensure this new system is used fairly we have decided to add the following clause to our forum rules.

Originally Posted by The Rules The reputation system is to be used fairly and honestly. Purposely boosting or dropping someone's reputation significantly is against the rules. This includes organizing such actions by multiple people, either to raise one's own reputation or to lower someone else's out of spite, anger, as an act of revenge, etc. Posts asking for reputation points are also not allowed and are subject to deletion. Warnings, bans and loss of reputation may be issued to users who do not heed a moderator's requests to cease posting for rep points.

Please note: We will only be implementing this as a test run and we may change or disable it at any time. It is highly probable that we will adjust the values to best fit our community. We will post in this thread if any changes are made. Equally we may decide it doesn't suit our forum and revert to the old method. This system system will actually be starting in a few days, we want to take your suggestions before then and also give you all a chance to save anything you need from your signature.

If you notice the system is not behaving as it should, please PM Fighter1405 or Taranis.

In order to keep this thread free I have made a thread for any comments, suggestions or questions about this idea which can be accessed here.

Have fun and use the new system fairly,

Your Travian Team

[Fighter1405]

Note: This information is now out of date. Please scroll down to the last post in the thread for the current configuration.


Over the past couple of weeks we have been listening to the feedback of the community as a whole and have decided to adjust the system accordingly. The most major change is that we have decided to give members back everything they had before, with one small exception: signature images. This applies to members even of a Farm hand rank. In doing this we hope to make a forum experience without being involved at all with the rank system entirely possible, but for those that want the extra rank and few added benefits they can still use it.

The changes we have made are:

• Give back all permissions to Farm hands, excluding signature pictures
• Added username colors (see below)
• Increased requirements for the higher ranks as it seemed to quick to gain them before
• Finalized the rewards for Senator and Consul (although they are still marked as ??? for added excitement)
• Allowed people to reach the rank of Senator and Consul now
• Changed reputation user spread to 10.

As mentioned above, according to your rank your username will now be a slightly different color. Colors as follows:
Farm hand
Villager
Tradesperson
Artisan
Merchant
Philosopher
Senator
Consul

Finally the new rank table:

Usertitle Reputation Requirement Post Requirement Min. Days Registered Reward Beggar - - - - Farm Hand 0 - - - Villager 15 50 7 Max PM recipients (5->10) Tradesperson 20 100 30 Can leave reputation Artisan 30 200 60 Signature Image Merchant 50 300 90 PM box increase (100->150) Philosopher 70 500 120 PM box increase(150->200) Senator 100 1000 180 ??? Consul 150 2000 365 ???

As before we have made a comments thread for you to let us know what you think. You can find this here

[Fighter1405]

Hey all,

Now that we have had a chance to see how the rep system will run over a period of time we have decided that some of the factors are in need of recalibration. Therefore we propose the following set of changes:

1. The rep power formula will be revised to place more emphasis on time spent on the forums
2. The requirements for all ranks will be updated (see below)
3. 3 new staff-assigned ranks will be added (see below)
4. Everyone's current rep level will be reduced by a factor of 10 in order to remove the inflationary levels we have seen recently

Here are the new ranks that we propose:



The lowest class in society, these persons are the scorn of every individual. Whether through misfortune or intent, Beggars have garnered a negative reputation among the population and have therefore been relegated to the fringes of society. No one wants to be a Beggar if they can help it.

Requirements:
Posts: N/A
Reputation: Under 0
Minimum Days Registered: N/A

Abilities:
* PM box size: 100
* PM recipients: 5
* Max sig characters: 500 [originally 1,000]
* Max avatar filesize: 25 kb (static only)
* Cannot leave rep
* Cannot have signature image



Young and full of energy, these people flock to farms around the empire to help with all sorts of daily tasks: harvesting food, planting new crop, taking care of the herds of cattle and sheep. They are compensated for their work by the owners of farms, and often end up staying in a nearby village.

Requirements:
Posts: N/A
Reputation: 0
Minimum Days Registered: N/A

Abilities:
* PM box size: 100
* PM recipients: 5
* Max sig characters: 500 [originally 1,000]
* Max avatar filesize: 25 kb (static only)
* Cannot leave rep
* Cannot have signature image



Within each of the countless villages which dot the countryside live pleasent folk who are peasants by nature. These people tend to small fields located around the village, and will often have a pig or goat around the house as well. Sometimes they will head out into the bigger towns and become more prosperous citizens.

Requirements:
Posts: 50
Reputation: 25
Minimum Days Registered: 7

Abilities:
* PM box size: 125
* PM recipients: 5
* Max sig characters: 600
* Max avatar filesize: 50 kb (static only)
* Cannot leave rep
* Cannot have signature image



Every village has people who specialize in one of the many trades: carpenters, blacksmiths, cobblers and masons to name but a few. Children of village peasants will sometimes desire to work in the trades, and will apprentice under someone until they are ready to begin work on their own.

Requirements:
Posts: 100
Reputation: 50
Minimum Days Registered: 30

Abilities:
* PM box size: 150
* PM recipients: 5
* Max sig characters: 750
* Max avatar filesize: 50 kb (static or animated allowed)
* Can leave rep
* Cannot have signature image



Often starting off in one of the trades, these individuals descover a talent for creating beautiful items. These people may be true artists or musicians, but often they are employed in crafting useful or decorative items such as vases or furniture. Under their skilled hands ordinary materials are turned into wonderful examples of art and ingenuity. The can be found in the larger towns, where they work and sell their creations.

Requirements:
Posts: 200
Reputation: 100
Minimum Days Registered: 60

Abilities:
* PM box size: 200
* PM recipients: 6
* Max sig characters: 750
* Max avatar filesize: 75 kb (static or animated allowed)
* Can leave rep
* Can have signature image



Dealers in locally made goods, as well as goods from abroad, merchants are always looking to barter with you in the hopes of selling something to you. Their occupation often makes them rich individuals, and they are sometimes known to enjoy luxuries not available to the general populace.

Requirements:
Posts: 300
Reputation: 200
Minimum Days Registered: 90

Abilities:
* PM box size: 250
* PM recipients: 7
* Max sig characters: 1000
* Max avatar filesize: 75 kb (static or animated allowed)
* Can leave rep
* Can have signature image



Great thinkers of their day, these people ponder and postulate, and are well known for spending whole days discussing their thoughts. They are interested in all sorts of topics, from economics, to science, religion, and society, as well as the likes of politics and military strategy. From here, some may find themselves inclined to participate in governing bodies.

Requirements:
Posts: 500
Reputation: 500
Minimum Days Registered: 120

Abilities:
* PM box size: 300
* PM recipients: 8
* Max sig characters: 1000
* Max avatar filesize: 100 kb (static or animated allowed)
* Can leave rep
* Can have signature image




Representatives of the people, these individuals have shown great ability in gaining the trust and favour of the masses. They are well versed in modern philosophies and theories, and use this knowledge to maintain order and prosperity through the creation and application of law.

Requirements:
Posts: 1000
Reputation: 1000
Minimum Days Registered: 180

Abilities:
* PM box size: 400
* PM recipients: 9
* Max sig characters: 1250
* Max avatar filesize: 125 kb (static or animated allowed)
* Can leave rep
* Can have signature image




Rulers of the people, Consuls are shrewd and powerful politicians, military geniuses, and popular figureheads. They have risen up amongst the ranks to become part of the elite, but are subject to the criticism and desires of the populous. Their experience is demonstrated day after day as they navigate the endless maze of thorny subjects.

Requirements:
Posts: 2000
Reputation: 2000
Minimum Days Registered: 365

Abilities:
* PM box size: 500
* PM recipients: 10
* Max sig characters: 1500
* Max avatar filesize: 150 kb (static or animated allowed)
* Can leave rep
* Can have signature image


(Awarded to users who have consistently and positively contributed to the Browsergame or Travian Development areas of the forums.)

Architects are the masters of the grand constructions upon which the empire rests. Their ability to envision and erect stunning monuments, buildings, and fortifications causes allies, foes, and citizens alike to stare in awe at the magnificent empire for which these people work. Their knowledge of how the empire functions is unsurpassed.

Requirements:
Posts: N/A
Reputation: 0
Minimum Days Registered: N/A

Abilities:
* PM box size: 500
* PM recipients: 10
* Max sig characters: 1500 (or default rank)
* Max avatar filesize: 150 kb (static or animated allowed) (or default rank)
* Can leave rep
* Can have signature image



(Awarded to users who have consistently and positively contributed to one of the Embassies.)

Whether they are attending a ceremony, conducting business with foreign nations, forwarding secret and confidential information, or delivering a declaration of war, Ambassadors form an important link between empires. Nations turn to them in times of peace as well as crisis with high expectations. And through this all, Ambassadors conduct themselves in a polite, civil, but ever weary and cautious manner.

Requirements:
Posts: N/A
Reputation: 0
Minimum Days Registered: N/A

Abilities:
* PM box size: 500
* PM recipients: 10
* Max sig characters: 1500 (or default rank)
* Max avatar filesize: 150 kb (static or animated allowed) (or default rank)
* Can leave rep
* Can have signature image



(Awarded to users who have consistently and positively contributed to Talk and Play.)

Part entertainers, part philosophers, playwrights have for ages created works which captivate audiences of all walks of life. Their ability to inject a topic with colourful insight through a variety of means makes them a desired member of any court. Playwrights are a fountain of knowledge on a plethora of subjects, which they draw upon to entertain the masses.

Requirements:
Posts: N/A
Reputation: 0
Minimum Days Registered: N/A

Abilities:
* PM box size: 500
* PM recipients: 10
* Max sig characters: 1500 (or default rank)
* Max avatar filesize: 150 kb (static or animated allowed) (or default rank)
* Can leave rep
* Can have signature image


As always we welcome any feedback, by posting here. We hope that this change will remove some of the problems we have seen with the rep system and will be agreeable to everyone.