This feature was originally requested as a way to say thank you to modders who created exceptional mods or other members who have made a significant contribution to the MS community. Since it's been put into place though, it's interesting to see how it is being used, and consider other ways it could be used.
For example, recently Davidwww, a prominent modder and Pioneer member of the Moviestorm site, was in need of content from the MS marketplace but didn't have enough points to purchase it. He humbly and begrudgingly asked if anyone would be willing to loan him the points to get it, and in a wonderful show of community spirit, fellow member Squirrelygirl helped him out in his time of need.
Speaking of Squirrelygirl, she recently posted a request for Voice Acting talent, wherein she would pay them 1000 MS Points per line. This translated to payment of about $10.00 per line. It's an interesting approach, and it could a director attract voice talent. This approach could also be used as a way of "thanking" a voice actor who has done very well for you, or someone who has been particularly helpful in your production.
Recently another member had asked the MS team if they could run their own contests and use points as prizes, and the people at MS gave their enthused blessing. I'm eager to see what contest ideas people will come up with.
Just thinking of it, I can imagine many other ways points can be used with this feature. For example:
- Let's say you want to make a movie but can't come up with an idea. Offer points for a story idea or a script. Or on the opposite end, you could offer points to a director to make your story idea or script.
- Using points to commission a mod, scoring, or some other form of aid.
- Giving points to the director you feel made the best movie of the week/month/year/ever.
- Giving points to someone who gave you a particularly helpful review of one of your movies.
Some people may think that this wouldn't be much use to them. What if you already have all the content and don't have a use for points? What if you support the MS community in some fashion but don't use the software? Points aren't of any use. Right?
Not necessarily. See, you could always gift them to someone else for some reason or another, and I imagine there may even come a time when people will sell excess points for a discount to other MS users, so if it suited you you could take, say, 1000 points someone payed or gifted you and sell it to someone for $5.00, so even if you don't have need or use for the points, they could still end up having value for you.
I'm not recommending anyone do any of the things I've mentioned, but it will be interesting how the community uses this feature. It has the potential to hopefully create greater enthusiasm and diversity in the MS community, and it's adds even more appeal to the Moviestorm subscription plan.
What do you think?
