This IM contest point system that you have here has spawned an idea in my head of a potential point system for the KR contests.
This theoretical system would rely on gaining stars rather than gears and ranks. Each contest would have different subcategories to vote for for each entry (lore, balancing, creativity, etc.), and then there would also be an overall poll to determine the winner of the contest after the all of the subcategories have been voted upon. Each subcategory would give the winner of it a piece of a star (say, perhaps, 1/5 of a star). If you win enough subcategories, then they will add up to create a full star. Winning the overall vote would give substantially more, perhaps an automatic two stars while the subcategories account for the potential third star. If one gains anywhere between 1 and 3 stars, then he has "completed a level." How many "levels" a member has "completed" would be listed under his name in the KR contest discussion thread. Each "level completed" would be accompanied by how many stars he completed it with. Perhaps there could even be some use for the stars or you could gain achievements if you fulfilled certain requirements, but I'll leave that up to you if you think this suggestion is good.
The only problems I can immediately point out is the length of time a voting period would take to be completed (each subcategory having its own poll and then the overall vote) and the logistics of figuring out the subcategories to include and such.
AerisDraco wrote:I feel as if you might want to tone down the number of points for the higher levels, especially Field Marshal, as that would require someone to win ~67 contests or so.
Well, it says that there more ways to gain points coming soon. Whatever those methods may be may yield sufficient points to gain the FM rank without the need of such seemingly insane requirements.