Merit Standards We have been getting a lot of complaints lately about people not getting merits for their comments. This is not necessarily because we have not seen them, but because we have heightened our standards of what constitutes a merit worthy comment. We have put our standards into some guidelines, so that you guys can see what we look for in a merit: 1) Perfect or near perfect grammar. Remember to use capitalization and proper spelling. 2) Structured - try to give some flow and structure to what you are writing. Don't just around from topic to topic. 3) Comprehensive, and with unique insight into the game that we somehow deem to be valuable. 4) Coherent. A lot of reviews that follow the recommended template become an exercise unto itself i.e. they don't really make sense when you actually read them. They sometimes even contradict themselves. These sort of comments don't get merits. Just because it is long, does not mean it will get a merit. It has to make sense too. 5) Contains constructive criticism of the game. Tell us the changes that you would make to the game, and why. What do you approve of? What don't you like? 6) Do not ask for a merit. Chances are, if you have to ask for a merit, you will not get one. It highly reduces your chances of receiving one, and makes us sad every time you ask
Merits are awarded randomly, when moderators and admins go through the games. This depends on how active the moderators are at the time. I don't think a whole lot have been going out recently however, because people don't seem to be leaving as high of quality comments as they used to. It used to be quite easy to find a fantastic comment. Going through the newer games, quality just seems to be dropping. I think people are getting lazy with it and just using the same general outline for every game. So not many merits are being awarded.
People tend to complain that merits aren't going out, but we are still actively looking. We just aren't finding as high of quality comments as we want. If people want more merits, then they need to put more effort into it ;-)
So, how often merits are awarded depend on both our activity, and how well they are being written.
Well put Carlie. I will look forward to receiving a merit. =P (read: I feel that the reviews I write are well written and meaningful). hee hee
... and no, before I get flamed or anything, I'm not ASKING for one or putting myself on a pedestal, I just feel that when I write a review, I will have substance worthy of a merit.
I just feel that when I write a review, I will have substance worthy of a merit.
Good, and that is what we are looking for. Substance, quality. Many people seem to think that as long as their review is lengthy, that they will get a merit. But even if it is long, that doesn't mean it says much. We are definitely looking for quality, not quantity.
[...] people don't seem to be leaving as high of quality comments as they used to. It used to be quite easy to find a fantastic comment. Going through the newer games, quality just seems to be dropping.
I'm pretty sure that's because everyone is busy with school or something else. I don't see any of names I sometimes look for when reading the game comments.
I has questions regarding merits but I don't want to started a new thread and they are relates-ted to this anyway.
Supposes I want to helps people writed the higher quality game comments. I mean makes them has more deeper insights into the game beyond superficialed template.
Firstlies, would this be alloweded? Secondlied, where would this goes-es?
1) Yeah, I'm pretty sure you are allowed to help people learn to write merits. Actually it's probably encourage worthy. If you can get more people to drop the templates, I'd be happy about that... 2) Newcomers forum section?Not completely sure, but since it would be kind of tutoring, that would possibly be a good place?
Man this is why i want people to have a automatic tutorial or tour on AG so they won't make tons of these. They don't even bother to check the hep section.