I think there is a real catch 22 here by both sides of the coin are really the same.
The truth is that a few competing is working hard to keep the community alive is false as it is also the other members that are participating that are also keeping the community alive.
It is the same as saying that participating in the leaderboard is killing the community when not being active on the community. (As the saying goes it takes a community to raise a child ( or our case a community ) )
The prizes are fun to have but is not as important as having fun and meeting and conversing with folks.
There a lot of ways to have potential changes without making changes actual changes to the leaderboard. Just a few off the top of my head.
-
Set prizes as 1, 5 and 8. It should keep the whole board active.
-
Set a point value to hit to be in the “leaderboard running” (like 200). At the end of the month, they can draw 3 names out of the 200 point pot to win. Top 10 on leaderboard all get tickets.
-
tickets for the top 10 on leaderboard but have competition for the prizes. Say 3 prizes then can do 3 contest and/or for 3 of the weeks be a specific core update winner (thread or say photo contest winner)
-
tickets for the top 10 on leaderboard but use the prizes and host a cross social media contest with them.
-
Can always do 1-4 and then also have a month with the current leaderboard format as well.
-
Can do a combo of 1-5. 1 Prize will be for the top 1, 1 prize given to an update winner, and/or 1 winner from the 200 point pool winner.
Changing the dynamics of the current points set up could 1. cause additional issues or 2. reduce the ability that some folks may need to get points for leveling (I know on Anker, you can always hear how the lack of points now is making leveling a real grind)
Just my thoughts.