This is my entry for the reputation challenge by my fellow Steemian . The challenge is about “How would you explain a newbie the Reputation System in a creative way?”.
When thinking about a creative way of describing something with levels and evolution, one of my favorite video games of all time came into my mind – Pokémon.
In my childhood, this was a really special game since it was one of the few games you actually could play together. And in order to succeed you had to do so. Of course, you could fight against each other as well – but for the main task - completing your Pokédex – teamwork was mandatory. I think this is a really beautiful message and something important to learn.
Another positive aspect is the fact, that there is not “The best Pokémon” – Of course there are stronger and weaker ones, but in the end every Pokémon has weaknesses against some of the others. In order to win fights, you therefore need a good and well-balanced team. This aspect of game design further enhances the above message of “Teamwork is key” which, as we all know, also is true for Steemit.
Ok, now I have told you enough about Pokémon, let’s come down to explaining the Steem-Reputation-System with those cartoon creatures.
The Steemit-Reputation system...
Similar to the level system in Pokémon, Steemit has a level system as well. While the levels in Pokemon indicate the strength of the creatures, the different levels on the platform Steemit stand for a user’s reputation within the community and don’t necessarily correlate with a user’s strength.
Of course there is a parameter of strength as well –“Steem Power”. But that’s a different topic. Let’s get back to the reputation for now.
Like the level 5 starting Pokémon you get in the games, your Steemit-Account doesn’t start on level one as well – You start with a reputation level of 25.
In the Pokémon video games, you have to choose one out of starter Pokémon ( “Bulbasaur, a plant-type monster, Charmander, a little fire dragon, or Squirtle, a sweet water turtle).
When creating an account on Steemit, you don’t have to choose between different types of accounts – however you have to choose a username. If you already know what you mainly plan on posting about it might be wise to choose a fitting name – if you build your “brand” an easy recognizable name could be very beneficial.
However, you still can compare your account to one of the starting Pokémon. If you, like in the video games, concentrate on your strengths and do smart moves, you soon will break out of the high twenties and even the thirties. In the video games these smart moves may be fighting against the right opponents – Here on steemit it is more about finding your strengths and adding value to the community.
If you post content that adds value and you do this on a regular basis you sooner than later will reach those areas of reputation level.
An important parallel to Pokémon is that it doesn’t matter what way you choose to go – it only counts that you take it and stay on track. You can post beautiful pictures, write meaningful texts, blog about your travels, give cooking instruction, show people tips for smart crypto-investment, and much more.
When you do good and constant work to make people enjoy your posts than they will honor that and make you rise up quicker than you expected.
These are the level areas you only reach when you add value for a longer time frame. In Pokémon it is a good idea to build up a team in order to win over opponents who have a benefit over your starter. On Steemit it is not about winning over somebody else – but you still should build connections and find teammates.
If you want to reach those reputation areas you should interact with others in order to gain from their experience as well. Don't mistake me, I am not talking about spam posting "Great post, well done!" here!
The only thing that matters is that you will need others. But you probably will know this fact when you are at those levels.
Those levels can be compared to the “Top Four” in Pokémon. While the “Top Four” are made up by four trainers who have mastered their own area of Pokémon, the reputation levels 70+ stand for mastering Steemit.
You will only reach those areas if you show consistency, positive interaction and development over a long timeframe.
The picture above doesn’t show the “Top Four” – I choose a picture of many different “Legendary Pokémon” instead. This is due to the fact that there also are way more than four users with a reputation of 70+. And as the legendary Pokemon all have a story worth being told, you will also have made an impressive story when you reach those heights of the reputation system.
Those areas have not been conquered yet.
I don’t know who will reach the eighties first – however I know that it will be a user who will have mastered Steemit to an extend that it might already be in their DNA. This is why I choose the pictures of “Mew” and “Mewtwo” – those two Pokémon carry the basic DNA and are the origin to all the others.
Unlike in Pokémon your account can also drop on the scale again. However, this will only happen if you don’t behave (Spamming for example) and therefore get flagged by others.
I still used a Pokémon for this level area – “Magikarp” – it is considered the weakest Pokémon.
But that’s another positive message you can get out of the games. Yes, Magikarp is the weakest creature – however if you train it long enough it develops into the really powerful “Gyarados”.
It’s the same on Steemit. Even if you drop below 25 it is still not too late to get up your ass, deliver something positive and rise up in the system. Just don’t give up.
I hope you guys enjoyed this funny way of explaining the system behind the reputation levels here on Steemit. If you have any questions feel free to ask anything – “The only stupid question is the one not asked!”
Have a nice day :)
This Post is my entry for the reputation challenge hosted by 
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