10 replies to this topic

[Detail]

Ages ago i wanted to make a site where modders could go and trade things, like:

I can code, but i can't model.
An different person might be able to model, but not code.
I'd code something for him. In exchange, he would model something for me.

This is a bit limiting, as you'd have to match two people together. Which has low odds of happening.

So i thought this up:

I can code, but i can't model.
A different person might be able to model.
Another different person might be able to map.
Everyone starts with 1 credit.

I'd say i need a model and offer 1 credit for it to be made.
The modeller makes me the model and i give him 1 credit.
The modeller needs a map and offers 2 credits for it to be made.
The mapper makes the map and gets 2 credits.
The mapper is desperate for a model and offers 3 credits for its creation..


Depending on the complexity of the job, you offer more credits. However, you first need to make things for other people to get the credits.

Modders get what they want if they have enough credits - which they get from doing things for others. Except for the first credit, which you get when you join the site.




I've already designed and coded the basics of the site, but would like some input before continuing.

Would you use a site like this?
Would you make things for others, so that you had credits which you could then offer people to make things for you?
What do you think of the idea?

[Detail]

I've built the core of the system:
http://www.gamesmodding.com/trade/

Suggestions at this stage are very desired.

Next i'll be working on all the user-friendly things.

[Banshee]

Interesting idea, although the credits system needs to be discussed.

I suggest giving some initial free credits to the first people who register in this service, specially from big mods. Also, a bonus for each 'mission' being accomplished, which would increase the traffic with the time. The problem is that both suggestions could be easily abused by people.

[Ash]

Interesting idea, although the credits system needs to be discussed.

Yeah. Like what tangible reward you get from it. I mean you can't bandy around credits between members without them being worth something at the end of the day. Sure, you get credits for helping someone, but what about straight-swaps? How do they work? What actual purpose do these credits serve?

[Jeeves]

Quite, I'd rather do a straight swap. Whats the point of helping everyone and building up hundreds of credits only to find nobody wants to help you?

[Detail]

Interesting idea, although the credits system needs to be discussed.

I suggest giving some initial free credits to the first people who register in this service, specially from big mods. Also, a bonus for each 'mission' being accomplished, which would increase the traffic with the time. The problem is that both suggestions could be easily abused by people.

At the moment, you get 1 credit when you register. That way, as soon as you register, you can ask for something to be made. However, you've only offered 1 credit, so what you ask for will only be made if it is simple. If you make things for other people and build up 4 credits, then you could request a more complex item be made for you.

This sounds a bit poor if you look at it from a starting stone, but if you think of a bussy site with many modders trading over many games, it sounds like normal business.
You could help 4 newbies and make 4 small items or you could make 1 large item (if it is in your skill field, it might be easy) worth 4 credits - either way, you make 4 credits, then ask someone to make you an item worth 4 credits.

Interesting idea, although the credits system needs to be discussed.

Yeah. Like what tangible reward you get from it. I mean you can't bandy around credits between members without them being worth something at the end of the day. Sure, you get credits for helping someone, but what about straight-swaps? How do they work? What actual purpose do these credits serve?

Credits are not worth anything. Just like a £10 note is just a worthless bit of paper in my wallet. However, what the £10 note can buy me does have worth and is tangible. The same goes for this site. What you buy with the credits is what makes doing things for others worthwhile.

Lots of people i've been talking to about this think that straight swaps are better, and they are. However, you have to match 2 people together. Each person with just the thing the other person wants. Very unlikely to happen and do you need a site to do this? no, you can just ask around forums to find someone to swap with.

This site is for when you can't find someone to do the straight swap with and you need to take the long route.


This post sounds bit like i'm trying to make the mod community about £money$, but i'm just using it as a comparison

[Ash]

It's still putting a value on that stuff. People would be obligated to give 1 credit for an item, even if the item was so poorly created that if I took a dump it would be better.

While the concept itself is good in theory, I fear it will be ill-implemented purely because of the limitations and the philosophy it would run by.

[Solinx]

If the created item does not meet a decent quality level, which can be expected within reason, you simply don't use it, nor pay for it.

When I buy a product which turns out to be defect, I won't just buy a second one to replace it, I rather ask a free replacement that does work or a return of payment.


I do agree with you that it's doubtful this will work. Afterall, who decides what is reasonable quality?

Solinx

[Detail]

In the real world i think the law says "a product must be fit for the purpose it was described to do."
So if you request an item to look good, but it looks poor, then the product is not as requested.

Yes, this is a problem.

A solution could be a 'tweak phase':
Tom requests an item.
Jack makes the item.
Tom see that the item is close, but could do with a tweak.
Jack makes the tweak.
Tom is now happy.
Jack receives credits.

This gives both people another chance to get what they want.
But then, what is considered a tweak by one person, may be a complete restart by another.


If it comes to it and the item made is just not right, the trade could be cancelled. The requester gets their credits back.
As the item has been made, the creator gets credits from the (lacking a better word) government. The government them makes the item available for public download.
This too could be obviously abused.


Maybe i could do like eBay (which i know very well, check out my store: http://stores.ebay.c...-and-Art-Prints ) and have user feedback. That way, when a member gets lower than 90% positive feedback, an admin looks into the members activities.


The whole thing has lots of places for problems, but with a little help from people i'll find solutions.

Edited by D, 11 April 2007 - 10:02 PM.

[Elerium]

Me likes, it also encourages newb modders to get better or lose in the eternal mod races

[OmegaBolt]

Me likes, it also encourages newb modders to get better or lose in the eternal mod races

Muahahaha.

Sounds like a good idea to me, if there are enough good graphics people in there.