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General discussionGOG Community Giveaway Tradition - Discussion and Poll(978 posts)(978 posts)
(978 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted April 08, 2022
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phaolo: Btw, IMO the random selection is more fair, compared to first-come-first served option.
It wouldn't be the community giveaway then though, but just one of those regular ones made by users. I'd say that, after the activity requirement, the fact that you're sure to get what you ask for if it's still available at the time of asking is the defining trait of the Community Giveaway.
Posted April 08, 2022
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phaolo: Btw, IMO the random selection is more fair, compared to first-come-first served option.
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Cavalary: It wouldn't be the community giveaway then though, but just one of those regular ones made by users. I'd say that, after the activity requirement, the fact that you're sure to get what you ask for if it's still available at the time of asking is the defining trait of the Community Giveaway.
Uh, but the random option would still consider your choices. It wouldn't be a raffle.
I think even Doc used this method in the past.
Posted April 08, 2022
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phaolo: Uh, but the random option would still consider your choices. It wouldn't be a raffle.
I think even Doc used this method in the past.
I would prefer a first come first served to randomness; it is already possible to create individual random giveaways separately for those donors who want to do that.

Randomness would require entry periods (beginning and closing times; probably like a weekly drawing or such). And When there are many games available, with randomness users would need to be allowed multiple game choices per entry (to avoid everyone asking for the most popular game, and then all but one getting nothing). The person managing a random giveaway would have to collect all the choices from everyone and arrange how to pick a winner fairly - overall, while it's possible I think first come first served is much simpler and has worked so far.
Posted April 08, 2022
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phaolo: Uh, but the random option would still consider your choices. It wouldn't be a raffle.
I think even Doc used this method in the past.
How is a random draw not a raffle?
Posted April 08, 2022
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DiffuseReflection: first come first served is much simpler and has worked so far.
Oh well, the new giveaway host will decide I guess.

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Cavalary: How is a random draw not a raffle?
Uh.. did I use a wrong term?
I meant that you won't get a completely random game, but 1 among your choices (or 0 if you're unlucky).
Posted April 09, 2022
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AB2012: A lot of people tested the Discord signup (myself included) on the GOG Giveaway thread, and were met with a "phone-wall". See over a dozen people's comments from around post 13758 onwards, many complaints on their own forum, plus the screenshot someone posted. I don't mind giving out email (like a lot of sane people I have two, one for friends / family / banking and a more 'disposable' one for everything else). Not giving out my personal mobile number though.

They vary but the rules are set by the donor and are nearly always explained in post 1. Some people with a few or even one key may do a "first come, first serve", others may do a "say I'm in and then I'll pick the winner via random.org". Others with a lot of keys like Doc may set up some big (usually amusing) seasonal event. Rules for that one were here.
I'm not saying it didn't happen, I believe you and others, I just find it odd. I, too, am in the boat in which I would not give out my personal phone number to a social media account.
Posted April 09, 2022
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phaolo: Uh.. did I use a wrong term?
I meant that you won't get a completely random game, but 1 among your choices (or 0 if you're unlucky).
So, a raffle. With all the complications that brings, outlined by DiffuseReflection above, and also breaking away completely from a defining aspect of the Community Giveaway in all its incarnations so far.
Posted April 09, 2022
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Braggadar: How many of you who don't like / cannot use / don't want Discord would support a forum-based alternative, but one still based off-site from here? No Discord format, no mobile phone requirements.
....
It's just a question - I have no plans to do this personally. I'm just testing the waters.
What good does it serve this forum then?
Posted April 09, 2022
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AlexTerranova: Current version of the Community Giveaway has come to its end. The Discord alternative is not acceptable for many GOG users due to privacy concerns and other reasons.

However, we can continue GOG Community Giveaway tradition on forums in the classic format. I suggest to discuss the following matters:

1. Do we actually want the Community Giveaway?
2. How rules can be improved and clarified.
3. How the maintainer's work ( key management, eligibility checks ) can be made easier.
4. Who will become a new giveaway maintainer. Maybe we need more than one person for this role?

***

My personal thoughts:

1. Yes, it's a nice tradition and a good opportunity to try new games.

2.1. I think, eligibility criteria should be written clearer. So user will have less doubts before asking for a key. And it will save maintainer's time.
2.2. Edited requests should be strictly prohibited. It will prevent possible hijacking of games requested in later posts. And encourage users to check their request before posting.
2.3. Start new month at midnight UTC. I suppose, it is convenient for most of people.

3.1. Write guidelines, how to determine if the game is still available, when there is a long queue of requests. Encourage users to actually read and follow them.
3.2. Develop a web-application, which will store information about available games and made requests. It can be used for partial automation of maintainer's work. And indicate to everyone, that a particular key has been requested already.
1. I think most people would like to have free games (me included). However, I would like to point out that the whole idea of Community Giveaway was to countenance said community on GOG forum. While it's good for people who are active on the forum to have something for their effort, I'm not sure how I feel this kind of incentive being counterbalanced by GOG itself and admins' actions that as of late aren't very supportive of the community.

2.1 While having clear criteria for paticipation in giveaway is good, I would like to point out that most of denied requests were made by people, who haven't read the rules at all.
2.2 I think editing request was forbidden already.

3.1 Again, the problem is that new people just post requests without reading.
3.2 That would be cool.
Posted April 09, 2022
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AlexTerranova: 2.3. Start new month at midnight UTC. I suppose, it is convenient for most of people.
the organizer should decide the time, based on his/her convenience imo.
Posted April 09, 2022
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AlexTerranova: 2.3. Start new month at midnight UTC. I suppose, it is convenient for most of people.
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de_v1to: the organizer should decide the time, based on his/her convenience imo.
Agreed.

Also a rule that states that the person should not add the host to their friends list (due to the limit).
Posted April 09, 2022
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AlexTerranova: 2.2. Edited requests should be strictly prohibited. It will prevent possible hijacking of games requested in later posts. And encourage users to check their request before posting.
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LootHunter: 2.2 I think editing request was forbidden already.
In current version it's just a recommendation, requests are being granted anyway. I suggest to decline edited requests for the reasons mentioned.
Posted April 09, 2022
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DiffuseReflection: Randomness would require entry periods (beginning and closing times; probably like a weekly drawing or such). And When there are many games available, with randomness users would need to be allowed multiple game choices per entry (to avoid everyone asking for the most popular game, and then all but one getting nothing). The person managing a random giveaway would have to collect all the choices from everyone and arrange how to pick a winner fairly - overall, while it's possible I think first come first served is much simpler and has worked so far.
There could be some reasonable combination of the those.
For instance, games above certain price would be randomly given, while all "normal" games are first-come first-served.

If you miss out on some 3 €/$ game because you weren't fast enough, you can laugh it off, but if you miss out on that special 60 €/$ game because you blinked at the wrong moment, it wouldn't feel as nice as simply not being lucky with some random pull.

I personally usually prefer obscure games that most people don't want, more expensive ones aren't usually worth the time or money really, but I can see how with more popular games random pulls would be more fair.

That arrangement would even make some games feel like a "special prize", whether that is a good or bad thing can be discussed and debated, but it's an idea anyway.

That arrangement would also release some pressure on those "normal" games, as participants would have to make a choice to either gamble on getting the "better" games or simply choosing from the "normal" games.
Posted April 09, 2022
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AlexTerranova: In current version it's just a recommendation, requests are being granted anyway. I suggest to decline edited requests for the reasons mentioned.
I agree that edited requests should be declined, because it makes it unclear who was first.

Finkleroy's giveaway rules explicitly stated "All posts that include a request or nomination will automatically be declined if they have been edited for any reason, even if it's because the GOG forum merged two of your posts". Normally, to update a request people have made a new post with the updated request. That way, it appears in the proper order, below any earlier posts.

To my knowledge finkleroy followed that rule very clearly. If there were any exceptions, it might have been a situation where no-one below the edited post asked for the same game, i.e. the edit gave no advantage compared to making a new post.
Posted April 10, 2022
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PixelBoy: For instance, games above certain price would be randomly given, while all "normal" games are first-come first-served.
I don't think, that different systems would mix well in one giveaway. First-come first-served approach has always been convenient here.

And personally, I have no interest in gambling.
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PixelBoy: That arrangement would even make some games feel like a "special prize"
I would rather see more contests, where people put real effort to win valuable prizes. ;)

It could be knowledge tests about some game or a series. Or creative competitions.

But they should not replace the community giveaway in its classic format.)
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionGOG Community Giveaway Tradition - Discussion and Poll(978 posts)(978 posts)
(978 posts)