Have you ever wanted to ask GamePoint a particular question? Do you want to give your suggestions on what games GamePoint should work on in the future? Want to directly give feedback on your GamePoint experience? Now is the perfect opportunity to ask a GamePoint staff member! On Tuesday, February 24th at 5PM (EST), AidaGP from Community Management will be available in Trivia Hall (50 Coin Automatic) to answer all your questions.
And just a reminder, you can always get in touch with GamePoint via our Helpdesk. We're happy to discuss all sorts of questions, issues and even take feedback there. While our staff members try to be social in chat as much as possible (staff members are also working on game and support issues), we want to highlight this particular opportunity to get to know everyone better.
Play Bingo!
(Update) Here's what we discussed during the hour!
Q: When can we play on Android & Kindle Fire?
A: Our team on this project says that we should have something ready for Android and Kindle Fire by springtime. We'll follow a similar route as our iPhone launch, where we'll have a testing period with players before launching.
Q: How can I change my player name?
A: Your player name is automatically generated by Facebook (your name, a letter, number) and this cannot be changed. You can though make an account via the website www.gamepoint.com and customize it as you want.
Q: Why can’t each room have their own SuperBingo?
A: This is how SuperBingo work and because everyone is there, the prizes can be as big as they are. If you're interested in region-only SBs, try the 1 Coin rooms. But that's definitely a suggestion!
Q: Why do the same people always win?
A: All cards, balls, numbers, dice throws, etc. are determined randomly by a computer program. There's no human input. This computer program is certified as random, meaning that there's no bias regarding name, Coins, account type, etc. There's nothing purposefully aiding or preventing any wins. (Also mentioned was that the only other factors are the amount of cards being played at a time and the amount of players being active in a room. Here is some additional info, including technical details, about this program: http://www.gamepoint.com/help?path=9&location=)
Q: Why can’t we gift Coins to our friends?
A: We have this feature via Facebook, but we know that it's not working properly for everyone. We're working on addressing that. But in the meantime, when your friends win something in-game, a message gets posted to their wall and as friends, you can click on that to receive some free Coins.
Q: How do I become a host?
A: Our hosts are a volunteer team that are really dedicated and do this extra work out of the love for the game and community. If you're interested in applying, here’s a link http://www.gamepoint.com/cockpit/application.php
Q: What are you doing about bullies/inappropriate language/moderation?
A: It's important to Report Players if you feel there's inappropriate behavior. This is regardless of the person it's coming from (player, host, staff) and can be done from the chat or from a PM. What this does is send the staff a selected chat of the time of the report where the Support Team can take an objective look at the chat and decide if there should be a sanction. Our hosts are volunteers and they help us out during their free time, but it's a team effort between everyone.
Q: What are you doing about the cheating programs?
A: Those things won’t work. It's not possible to cheat at a game, because like explained earlier, things like balls, cards, numbers, dice throws, etc. are determined randomly. (Additional note, it's more than likely that these programs themselves are viruses or programs designed to benefit the only person that made them. Therefore, it's highly dangerous to install any of these programs for any game on your computer.)
Q: What is being done about players that purposefully stall games by not leaving?
A: Let us determine whether or not there is something technical going on first by sending us a message via Helpdesk. We can then later also objectively determine if it's habitual and then how to proceed. (Additional note, you also block these people so that you don't play with them again.)
Q: When are new games coming?/When is Canasta coming?
A: GamePoint is always keeping an eye on where to go next, but at the moment there isn't anything concrete happening with Canasta . We're actively working on updating our current games, like WordTornado. And we’re working on switching some of our games from Java to Flash to make it easier for players to actually play.
Q: When will the jumping tables in CardParty/RoyalDice be fixed?
A: Regarding that issue in CardParty, RoyalDice, etc., our development team is working on other fixes since we heard players suggesting elements like a confirmation screen. (Additional note, we did make some improvements based on feedback, such as hovering over a game will 'lock it' into place except in cases when the game is cancelled. In the meantime, you're welcome to make your own game with your desired stake and options.)
Q: Can we have colored daubers/customized daubers?
A: This is a suggestion we've heard a lot from players before. So it's something we may think about implementing in the future. But it's definitely a cool idea.
Q: What are the symbols in front of players’ names?
A: Stars are hosts, G's are staff. Shield and crowns are SVIPs and VIPs respectively.
Q: Why don’t we get more free Coins?
A: You can collect free Coins every 3 hours. We also try to give out opportunities to win free Coins and subscriptions! For example, on our Facebook pages, we hold weekly little raffles for free Coins, or little challenges. Participating by leaving a comment is usually all you have to do for a chance to win. Naturally as well, many of our events have chances for more Coins. Like the last one we did, where you could find free Coins in other games.
Q: How do I get rid of the popup notifications while playing?
A: Regarding popups about seeing your friends and their winnings, you can turn that on/off via your settings. Click on your avatar (your picture at the top left) and go to Settings. And then you can check/uncheck.
Q: When will our next event be?
A: We organize events pretty often and holidays are a good "excuse" to do something, be it a full event, a design change, a smiley, etc. So look forward to them! If there are other holidays you think need more attention, then you're welcome to let us know on our blog, Facebook or Helpdesk
Q: Will there be more of these Q&A sessions?
A: We have done these in the past, even with different teams apparently like, just the Design team, or just the Development team. I think it's a good idea and I hope we'll have this time again soon (If you have a specific question you want answered by a member of a specific team, you can always send it to us via Helpdesk)
Q: Are you a real person? Are you really an employee?
A: I'm a GamePoint employee, working at GP HQ in the Netherlands. Originally, I'm from the USA so I can give GP insight about American culture, holidays, etc. Otherwise GamePoint would be really confused about things like Thanksgiving...
This is likely caused by a delay in your game when the system announces the winner (which can be caused by a slow internet connection or an older system. if you see slow animations, like fireworks or balls, then this is most likely the case). So unless your name appears in the list of winners at the end of the game or in your Wallet, that means that someone else achieved the line/pattern/etc at least one number before you.
But if you made a Help request, it will be responded to as soon as possible. Duplicate requests may actually increase the time it takes to help you though! We'll look into it and appreciate your patience!