My thinking behind my suggestions:

To add a new dimension to Funkypool.
I was still trying to keep it about the pool, but adding further methods to make your account more personal to you.
By adding a new (almost RPG) focus to build up, could increase the interest?
Also, with some items only available to subscribing members, could increase the subscription appeal?
Also opens up the possibility of introducing a few micro-transactions to FP.
Though I must strongly recommend, that micro transactions should not affect the game, other than cosmetics.



Suggestions for All Players:

- Make skill more influential for game results. Seems to be a lot of wildly off-line shots.
Some games just can't be won no matter how well you play.
- Increase server capacity? Very laggy at busy times. Is it worth it?
- *r101* Profile building. Avatars/Gifs. Achievement unlocks.
Banners/medals/cues/collectables/other customisations?

Edited at 11:37 Mon 21/01/13 (GMT)

Suggestions for Subscribed Members:
(Thinking: What benefit does subscribing give?)

- Doubles (2v2) (could factor into leagues/have a separate league)
- Rating Point Stake Games. Choose how much Rating you wish to gamble on a frame/series of frames? (see next point)
- In game currency to use for stake games. (micro-transaction possibilities?)
- Maybe some form of achievement system?
So many wins/win streaks/achievements = unlocks a reward, etc.
Could go crazy with it...
new cue designs/trophies/medals/in-game currency for staking games/chalk collection (random aquirements through achievements).
- Titles. (prefix/suffix add-ons for players name) Different unlock criteria?
- *r101* Further unlockable rewards/customisations/collectables.
- Custom Table Cloths? (Could use in the *r101* aspect?)



Further ideas on *r101*:

- Character avatar to customise.
- Could maybe do a pool hall building aspect. Unlocking things to build it through in-game achievements.
- Collectables/collections. Special Chalk collection? (Or something better if you come up with something).
- Win streak unlocks? (awarding pool hall component/avatar customisation/collectables)

Edited at 11:35 Mon 21/01/13 (GMT)

This post will be edited.

NB:
*r101* is used to link different parts of the same suggestion idea. (Reference tag)
______________________________________

More suggestions:

dgeneratio - Various - Page 1, Post 11
mich - TournyPoints as currency - Page 1, Post 16
kirk - Titles - Page 1, Post 19
______________________________________



What do you all think of the ideas?


Edited at 13:48 Mon 21/01/13 (GMT)

Quite like a few of the suggestions, others are already implemented and others I think are a tad silly.

I like the idea of unlocking certain things based on winning (or losing) streaks. I think this would work best in the form of medals on your profile. Or the ability to use certain cues.

I personally dont like the idea of having your own avatar but can see why others might.

I dont see the point of having an in-game stake, there's already the ranking points for that. I also know that the developers are keen not to turn it into a gambling site, so real money transactions would not be used. I believe there was a site that was created for this perpose but it never really took off. I'd completely forgot about that til just now

Thanks for your thoughts squeezy

Yeah I can understand about the gambling thing.
I wasn't actually thinking real money bets, more an in-game currency. (but yeah, I guess without careful planning, it could well be abused in the real world)

I think you're a genius lol. Really great points well made and elaborated on, but no doubt it'll be an in one ear and out the other for the administrator. Touse my own twist on gambling, maybe you can sacrifice points in games? I bet 20 of my points you won't beat me etc etc. Double or quits n ting.

Admin seriously need to improve the site though as more and more chicas and chicos are losing interest rapidly. This site would be a goldmine if the right thoughts went into it.

Yeah to implement some of your ideas it would mean acquiring a gambling licence and then having the probable complaints from parents who claim their kids used their ID and bank/credit cards to play. (Not the sites fault I know but a lot of hassle all the same.)

Would also get a lot of people claiming to be hacked or cheated out of their money in order to get a refund for what they lost, have seen this happen on a few sites, poker ones mainly but some other gambling sites too.

I think site security would probably need to be improved also if this was to turn into a gambling site, and then their would be the hard task of how old people need to be to gamble online, UK is 18, MOST states in the USA (not sure if all) are 21 at least to gamble, in some states I believe it is even illegal, not too sure though.

So there is a lot of legislation to work around and it would take the family friendliness away from the site, I know of people aged 10/11 on here, how would you feel if your 10/11 year old was playing on a gambling site? I know I wouldn't be too happy myself.

Regarding doubles though, I think killer and mini golf were brought in to test having more than 2 people in the same game, and it has proved successful, everyone would love doubles and the admin are aware of this as it gets brought up at least 4 times a year haha think they are working on other aspects of the site as well as having a personal life too at the minute though, which is fair.

I'd be a proud father if my 11 year old could gamble

Would have to find a lady who would let you impregnate her first Jim.

Ewww like that's gonna happen

My ideas

All

Major Tournaments (where winner gets a trophy or platinum/Diamond medal only once a week at peak time)
Scotch Doubles
Achievements
Tournament on the hour
Rotating Marathons
Micro for newbies
3, 6 + 12 month premium (£3.99 for 3 months, £5.99 for 6 months, £9.99 for 12 months)
App in case you can't connect to internet so can practice offline

Subscribers Only

Practice games with leaderboard
Record function
Signature on forum posts
Theme Customisation (make forum look nice with choice of themes)
Cue Customisation (staff would need to approve cue before you use it)
Cloth Customisation (same as above)

lol thanks for your posts guys
(hope they keep coming)

@mich
yeah I can see the legalities being an obstacle.
I was thinking about the MMO's n how they have in game currency.
Thought, yeah, an online pool career lol.
(Obv no real world value/purpose)

But yeah, maybe the gambling thinking is maybe a little too 18+
How about ability to buy things with in game currency?
(instead of gambling?)

Would staking your rating points count as 'need-a-license' gambling?

Food for thought


@foxy147
"I think you're a genius lol."
THANKS!
(Glad someone does)

Edited at 12:57 Mon 21/01/13 (GMT)

A thing about gambling tournapoints. What used to be done with rank was people was purposely lose to boost their friends rank, i reckon it would happen with tournapoints.

However a lot of good ideas. Doubles would be great.

Ooo Very good point kirk.

So to deploy something like that, would need serious attention to security and limitations? Or just an out-right non-starter for that?
I'm stubborn lol.... Everything is possible with the right amount of effort and determination.
But yeah, labour/cost/etc worth it?
Could maybe steer away from that point.

Heavy Emphasis on the account building / customisation.

I don't think there is anyway to police that properly, someone could just lose a few aswel but win more and still be better off. I think the better ideas are things like doubles. Also something needs to be done about tournapoints as it's about how much you play not how good you are.

I think using tournapoints you gain from winning tournaments to buy things would be good, think would have to reset the points thought so everyone is on an even playing field in order to start with to purchase items.

Don't see the point in unlockables to be honest.

Cosmetic reasons really, gives you something to aim for also. Think it would make tournaments more interesting.

I think that should be done with updates as per norm. What about titles? Something which im not really sure of myself. Or even annual tournaments?

@mich
Re:
"I think using tournapoints you gain from winning tournaments to buy things would be good, think would have to reset the points thought so everyone is on an even playing field in order to start with to purchase items."

Ooo good shout!
Though there is only one winner in a tournament?
Maybe less tournaments, and consolation points for the losing finalist? Or leave as is, making the purchasable items more exclusive?