We have quite a few BIG changes and updates in the works, and we thought it would be a good idea to tell you about one in particular before it happens.

Soon, we will be introducing an entirely new and much improved level up system. As you know, the current system is based on collecting 4 different badges for each level. Badges are very cool (and they are here to stay), but the current level up system has a few big problems.

The problems 
Problem 1: We have a lot of users stuck on Level 7, just like we had a lot of users stuck on Level 6. As soon as Junk Key is out, we will have a lot of users stuck on Level 8. This problem won't go away until we can hire a bunch of people to do nothing but develop quest and level badges.

Problem 2: The badge system is complicated for new users. With each new level, a user has to undertstand how to earn 4 different badges. It is clear that a lot of new users don't understand this system and stay stuck on Jr. level for a long time. This is discouraging for a new player who feels like no matter what they do, they can't level up.

Problem 3: Requiring Badges for levels forces players to do certain things at certain times. We are all for encouraging players to use their scrapbook and do stuff offline, but we know that everybody is different. One week you may think it is great fund creating stuff for your scrapbook, the next week you may want to do something else. Maybe one week somebody thinks it is fun to collect bling, but they are tired of doing it the next week. Requiring specific badges for leveling up forces players to do things they may not think is much fun at the moment.

So.......

The Solution
We have developed a new system where you level up by earning experience points. Many other games use this type of system and call it something like XP of Exp, we are going to call it TinkaPoints (the current system of TinkaPoints we have is going to be abandoned).

Each level will require a certain number of TinkaPoints. For example Level 1 will require 300 TinkaPoints. When a player earns those, they will level up, and their TinkatPoints will go back to zero. Level 2 will require 350 TinkaPoints. Each level will require more points. 

How do you get TinkaPoints

Almost everything you do in the game will give you TinkaPoints, eating, collecting bling, junk, collectables, building stuff, earning seeds, trading, moving, thinking, giving, earning badges, submitting to the TinkaFair.

Some things will only give very few points (ie. eating and collecting bling), some things will give lots of points (ie. completeing quests, doing stuff offline)

At the top of the screen you will see how many points you have, how many you need, and a progress bar that shows you how close you are to leveling up.

Players will no longer have to understand specific badges, or wait for badges to be complete. Everything they do in the game (and all of the Tinka stuff you do away from the game) will help you towards the next level.

What does this mean for your current status?

We will start the new system with 50 levels.

Based on your current status (seeds, blings, badges, items collected, scrapbook, tinkafair etc etc etc) you will be moved to a new level in the new system. Everybody will go up. BUT not everybody will go up to the same level. Some current level 7 players might go to level 15, others might go to level 20. It all depends on the sum of all of your status, not just your current level.

What about level up rewards?

We will still be giving seeds (or something similar) but we will no longer be giving specific rewards (such as new hair or a new tinka). Instead, each level unlocks new items. In the beginning, we will have to use the items we have (like makeables and unusuals) but soon we will be adding some exciting new items. More info to come.

What about the current TinkaPoints?
TinkaPoints as you know them - that is something you get primarily for doing stuff offline, and something you use to build makeables - will be gone. The TinkaPoints you have currently earned will be used as part of the calculation to figure out your new level. 

What if I think I was put on the wrong level?
There will be some players who think they should be at a higher level and some will be frustrated, especially if friends end up at a higher level. We apologize in advance for any frustration, but we hope that all of you will think that this change makes a much better game.
If you think a genuine glitch was made (as in a bug in the system that caused you to be put at a completely wrong level) then we will of course take a look at it. But keep in mind, the level you are moved to is based on all kinds of user activity, not just the obvious things you can see like blings and badges. We have been fine tuning and testing for weeks and we are confident that the system is very fair. 

When will this happen?
Hopefully very soon - if not this week, then next. We want to get this in place ASAP, because we have a lot more stuff on the way that requires the new level system.