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Adding something akin to Foursquare's "mayorships"
Hey guys-
I've had Gowalla since the beginning, but never used it much because I really wanted the social aspect of following what my friends are up to. So, I've been mostly using Foursquare, instead. Now, you've added the social aspect, and it's freaking great. All in all, way better than Foursquare, now. For the most part, your game is a lot more fun than Foursquare's.
However...the one aspect of Foursquare I really enjoy and kind of miss in Gowalla is the "mayorships." That is, on Foursquare, if you are the most frequent visitor to a place over the past 60 days, you become the "mayor" of that place. It's a temporary title, as other's can easily steal the mayorship from you, by visiting that spot more often than you. My friends and I have had a lot of fun trying to become the mayor of our favorite spots, and stealing each other's mayorships. Some local bars and coffee shops have even started offering discounts or specials to the current mayor.
Clearly, Gowalla is a different game and you wouldn't want to do exactly the same thing, but have you considered some kind of reward for being a "regular" at a spot? There's just something fun about "owning" my favorite real-life spots on my favorite location-based social network (which is now Gowalla!).
I've had Gowalla since the beginning, but never used it much because I really wanted the social aspect of following what my friends are up to. So, I've been mostly using Foursquare, instead. Now, you've added the social aspect, and it's freaking great. All in all, way better than Foursquare, now. For the most part, your game is a lot more fun than Foursquare's.
However...the one aspect of Foursquare I really enjoy and kind of miss in Gowalla is the "mayorships." That is, on Foursquare, if you are the most frequent visitor to a place over the past 60 days, you become the "mayor" of that place. It's a temporary title, as other's can easily steal the mayorship from you, by visiting that spot more often than you. My friends and I have had a lot of fun trying to become the mayor of our favorite spots, and stealing each other's mayorships. Some local bars and coffee shops have even started offering discounts or specials to the current mayor.
Clearly, Gowalla is a different game and you wouldn't want to do exactly the same thing, but have you considered some kind of reward for being a "regular" at a spot? There's just something fun about "owning" my favorite real-life spots on my favorite location-based social network (which is now Gowalla!).
I’m excited about Gowalla!
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I like this idea!
Tell me when this idea gets some attention.
The more people who like this idea, the more it gets noticed.
The more people who like this idea, the more it gets noticed.
The company has this under consideration.
The best point from the company
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Lot of good comments on this one, and we're definitely keeping an eye on how many people "like" this idea. As has been mentioned, the top visitors is a step in the general direction I think we're all talking about, and we'll see where that goes.
In the meantime, as to adding comments (either in favor of or against sweet potato fries =^), use the new comment feature when checking-in: those comments are viewable on the web and the app. We use them in all sorts of ways, including leaving comments and suggestions.
The company thinks
this is one of the best points
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Inappropriate?Jeff makes a good point here. The 2 things that Foursquare has over Gowalla in my opinion is the mayorships feature mentioned here, and the ability to add a tip when checked into a spot (ie. "Try the sweet potato fries here, they're fantastic!"). Otherwise, I find that Gowalla has everything it needs to be the better app.
I’m excited
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Inappropriate?Nice idea. A few of us have been throwing around the idea of "stealing" items from each other to add some friendly competition, but I prefer the idea of "stealing" titles even better. Seems like something akin to mayor-ships adds incentive but doesn't supplant existing gameplay...
I’m orange
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Inappropriate?Might be getting there, since there's the top 10 visitors within last 90 days. Although I must say Dave, when your friend wrote "foiled!" at the Apple University store, I was actually on my way to pick up that watering can from @geeners. I thought I was the one that was foiled! ;o)
I’m having tons of fun!
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Inappropriate?Haha... no kidding, Irene. There are several games-within-the-game being played amongst a few of us. "Foiled" could apply to a few people in a few instances...
I’m gowallapaloozalling
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Inappropriate?Patrick - you *can* let everyone know that the sweet potato fries are fantastic! Just write it in the little white box at the top before you click "check in" :)
I’m not sure that I've ever had sweet potato fries
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This is one of the best points
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You're missing out, sweet potato fries are amazing! Especially in ranch dressing; mmm! -
I'll second this. And I dislike sweet potatoes in most other forms.
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Inappropriate?I had posed the idea of a Pin of Glory called "The Regulars" to sort of reward the most frequent visitors to a spot, but it is not really the same thing as a mayorship and that idea also intrigues me. With the fact that you physically have to show up for the check-in, it makes something like a "mayorship" all the more pertinent.
More interaction between players, like the ability to specifically trade Pack Items, would certainly enhance the social networking aspect of the game. And as Jon Carroll has stated, Gowalla is what you make of it.
With regard to your second request, as Gina pointed out, you can broadcast your check-in via Twitter and/or Facebook provided you've allowed that access via your Passport on Gowalla.com, you have the switch within the check-in screen set to ON and you write some comment in the dialog provided prior to actually checking in.
I’m rather lacking in facial features.
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Inappropriate?You don't even have to post your check-in comment to Twitter or Facebook for it to appear on the spot history. Just type the comment in the dialogue box - you can have "post to Twitter or Facebook" off or on.... it will still show up on the spot's webpage or under the "people" tab in the app.2 Comments Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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Que the "More You Know" theme.
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FWIW, I like the idea. I liked "The Regulars" idea and this one. I'm interested in seeing if they'll implement it and how they'll make it different from 4S.
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Inappropriate?Lot of good comments on this one, and we're definitely keeping an eye on how many people "like" this idea. As has been mentioned, the top visitors is a step in the general direction I think we're all talking about, and we'll see where that goes.
In the meantime, as to adding comments (either in favor of or against sweet potato fries =^), use the new comment feature when checking-in: those comments are viewable on the web and the app. We use them in all sorts of ways, including leaving comments and suggestions.
The company thinks
this is one of the best points
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Inappropriate?I would love this! But not the mayor, just the most frequent visitor or something. :) That would be fun.
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?I totally agree on this idea! -
Inappropriate?Also putting in my support for something of a "regulars" status in a spot rather than the "mayorship". A possibility would be you become a "regular" once you check in 10 times and the check mark icon next to a spot changes to a different icon (shiny star, crown like foursquare). Or maybe even have 2 or 3 thresholds (20 check-ins, 50 check-ins) with unique icons.
I think this would discourage much of the "gaming the system" in 4sq and also allows a business owner to reward all their regulars instead of just whoever is #1 that day.
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This is one of the best points
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I like this idea... or regulars at least stay in the timeline somehow?
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I second (or third) this! Regulars is nicer than mayor... and new icons are always welcome :D
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