Replace Levels with Badges

[HamsterIV]

On a whole I like how the latest patch has hidden player's level numbers in lobby, but I would like it to go further. I would like to do away numeric levels entirely. In its place we should have badges earned via achievements and displayed by player customization. These Badges can have a text title corresponding to the rank they earned like "Roustabout", "Artilerist", ect. Also community badges like "teacher", "Bounty hunter",  "Bug Reporter" could be added into the mix for people who do special things outside the achievement system.

The player should be able to choose from all badges they have earned to display next to their name in lobby. Ideally these badges should be distinct with no way of telling which one is better. When a user mouses over a badge it should the title of the badge should appear "Roustabout" "Bounty Hunter" "Teacher" "Lunch break Victor". Also in the mid game tab screen the badge's name should appear next to the player.

Hopefully this system will allow veteran players to flash some bling without intimidating newer players into prematurely abandoning matches. It will also provide more incentive to play for the achievement hunters amongst us. Also I can go back to being a "Roustabout" and not worry about what people think about the number/title next to my name.

[GeoRmr]

Master Gunner/Commander/Engineer Elite

Doesn't sound threatening.

[shaelyn]

...that's only if those badges are used.

the interesting thing about this, is someone could use a Helmsman badge while being a Commander, unless this were restricted to your highest tiers of badges.  not sure how I feel about that.
but I do like the idea of displaying badges, generally.  I had posted in another thread an idea about titles being public instead of levels.  not sure which I'd want more, or if I'd like to see both ideas implemented.  for sure, I wouldn't care about levels if my title and a badge were displayed.

[redria]

Actually badges sounds pretty awesome. No-one looks at profiles half the time anyway, so valued badges sit unviewed. In the small space currently occupied by numbers, a badge would stand out nicely without being cluttered, and players could show off badges from events, or from levels, as they see fit. Really neat idea.

[Mean Machine]

I like the idea. I'd like something like APB: Reloaded has. Each side (faction) has different set of icons/badges that represent rank of player, plus those icons (badges) are coloured, depending on their threat level (green for noobies, bronze for below average, silver for average/good, gold for experienced players. So for example highest rank and highest threat player on criminal side have gold skull as his badge/icon by his/her nickname. You can also lose your threat level if you keep losing matches which would then throw you down to silver level or even further to bronze or green. This also serves for matchmaking there. If there are two gold andthree silver on one side, then other side should get similar players to balance mission.
Anyway, I like this idea. I think badges would look nicer than just some numbers.

Just as example

[Queso]

http://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/2012/10/5565/ Not a bad read in how another team based game does it

[RacingRotary]

I like the idea of not tieing a number to levels. Having the "levels" tied to accomplishments instead of experience would be preferable in my opinion as well. This would stop people from being boosted to higher levels, i have no idea if this is a problem or not.

[DJ Logicalia]

+1 to badges. It's less intimidating as seeing 45s everywhere, and still shows off your accomplishments. I'm just not sure exactly how they would be displayed. Having a picture of a badge next to your name might start to look messy. And then the concept of cheating, by putting a swabbie or powder monkey badge on. All though, I guess the match total and level counter on a profile might negate that to some extent. Over all, I like the idea better than hidden levels.

[Indreams]

It's less intimidating as seeing 45s everywhere,

Lol , Personally, I find Clan tags intimidating, especially if they are from prominent clans like Bards, Rydr, Duck, and etc. Can we replace clan tags with badges?

[Hoja Lateralus]

Current level system is  good andclear. I'm against hiding levels or changing them into badges.

[SaintR.L.]

Current level system is  good andclear. I'm against hiding levels or changing them into badges.

Badges are fine, but having that outright replacing what we have now seems unnecessary.

[Spud Nick]

Replace lvls with badges, ranks or titles. Not showing lvls is just plain odd.

[SaintR.L.]

Replace lvls with badges, ranks or titles. Not showing lvls is just plain odd.

Well, technically we already have ranks and badges. Only the ranks show up in-game though, and the badges are only visible in the achievement page.

[shaelyn]

Well, technically we already have ranks and badges. Only the ranks show up in-game though, and the badges are only visible in the achievement page and profile.

fixed that for you.  there's three slots in the profile, you can select any badge to show off there.

[sparklerfish]

Well, technically we already have ranks and badges. Only the ranks show up in-game though, and the badges are only visible in the achievement page and profile.

fixed that for you.  there's three slots in the profile, you can select any badge to show off there.

But only 3.  If levels weren't visible, you wouldn't be able to show off your ranks if you had any other badges to display.