by Robert the Serious Siamese
I have a suggestion to the Ingress game-makers: Add
special powers to those players who manage to go beyond level
16. Perhaps they would then forget all about frog-killing and/or smurf-chasing cats
Here are some ideas: Allow high level players to apply for a
special position, an honour labelled "a Gandalf"
A Gandalf would be able to turn a certain number of
enemy portals grey comfortably from their homes, only using the Ingress Intel
map. This would be allowed at restricted time-periods of 2-3 days that
would be announced in advance.
I can already envision the frenzy of regular
players preparing for these Gandalf periods.
Those players who have been good rechargers would
receive a Hattivatti / Hattifnatt award, in the form of a super-charged power cube.
Walking and biking should be promoted more. If I
could decide, using a private car for playing should be forbidden.
But I know
humans are better motivated with carrots than sticks -this is why cats manage
to be loved pets. We are fierce predators but at home we look cute and are
cuddly and we purr.
A special trekker reward (after 1000 km walked)
could consist of an ergonomically designed light-weight back-pack with the
following surprise items:
- ultrathin raincoat
- sunscreen
- sunglasses
- thermos flask
- amusing snacks
- a portable charger in your faction's colour.
Not everyone lives in an area where playing can be
done by foot. The use of cars in the name of playing should be discouraged. For
this there are two solutions:
1. Niantic Labs (the game creator) should accept suggested portals in areas that
are not accessible by cars
2. There should be a reward for using public
transport, with some nifty awards
These two ideas, when applied cleverly could
actually make a difference. Imagine the couch potato, immune to health
terrorist’s advice but driven by his gamer ambitions going for walks in forests and parks.
Even better: The business man who used to take his
car to work would now choose the bus, tram, or train instead to be able to hack
more portals on his journey and to receive the rare badge rewarded for public
transport use.
If there really are 7 million players worldwide -and
counting, then cities may just have to start improving the transportation
services and there will be less pollution and waste of resources.
My Human mother is trying to help me on my mission “save
the cats” by diverting the player’s minds.
She submitted a portal called Froschenfresser
(=frog-eater) to Niantic Labs and hopes for a fast approval. When people think
of the stork (Ciconia ciconia)
as the master frog eater, me and my brother Jacob and our feline friends can
walk the streets safely again.
PS. I found the perfect
vehicle for beginner greens:
Why it’s perfect? It is
called a tadpole.
-Robert the Serious Siamese
