(Not sure where to put this, so I stuck it here.)

I've been thinking recently about ways to help get people connected to Elfpath and spread word to bring more people here. Given Facebook is basically the largest networking site out there, I thought it would be cool to make a Facebook application. I don't know how to do all the programming for it, but I have friends who do. I can easily design a game or app though, and in the shower I came up with this idea. It's still in its first stages, but I wanted to share my ideas with you all and perhaps get any feedback to make the game/app better. Here 'tis!

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~ ElfPath Lotus Facebook Application ~
Designed by: Jacob Pernell (ItsaMystery)

Overview
The Lotus Game is a Facebook application that allows other users to connect with one another by sending and receiving gifts (such as a lotus, totem, or chakra) with ‘wisdom quotes’ attached to them. A user may send one lotus to each person on their list every day. Every time a user sends or receives a certain amount of lotuses, they will earn a ‘Lotus Point’. Lotus Points can be used to unlock larger gifts to send to other people (such as totems, mandalas, chakra symbols, etc.). After reaching pre-determined total Lotus Points, a user will level up and earn the next belt level in the Elfpath system.

Design
From the app home screen, the following button links are available: Send Gift, Gift Store, Profile, and Settings.

~ Sending a Lotus or Gift ~
From the ‘Send Gift’ interface, a user can select a gift (to start, only a lotus will be available) and people from his or her friends list. Hitting the ‘Send’ button will give the selected gift to the selected people. By default, a checkbox controlling whether or not the gift will be sent with a ‘wisdom quote’ will be active (unchecking this box will just send the gift without a quote attached). ‘Wisdom quotes’ are quotes drawn from the Elfpath quote box, and will include other user-generated quotes (similar to the little quotes found from Dove chocolates).

~ Gift Store ~
The Gift Store displays the number of Lotus Points you have. Every 10 lotuses sent gives you one (1) Lotus Point. Using your acquired Lotus Points, you can purchase a gift to send to somebody. Examples of gifts are: Totem Pole (20 LP), Mandala (10 LP), and a Chakra (5 LP) [final prices TBD]. You can also purchase a Custom Message (5 LP), which allows you to write any message you’d like and attach it to a gift. Purchased gifts are not restricted to the ‘once per friend per day’ rule as the lotus flowers are.

Users can also donate to purchase more Lotus Points. For every $1 donated, the user is given 5 LP.

~ Profile ~
The Profile page lists statistics and achievements for your account. This page lists the total number of each kind of gift sent/received, your current and total Lotus Point values, and your current rank (belt level).

Achievements are also listed under a tab on this page. Various achievements can be earned, all of which range in difficulty. Accomplishing any given achievement gives you a certain number of LP based on the difficulty level. Examples of some achievements include: Lotus Student (Send 20 Lotuses; 5 LP reward), Chakra Master (Send 100 Chakras; 20 LP reward), Wise Words (Send 5 Custom Messages; 10 LP), etc.

~ Settings ~
The Settings page will list various settings for the user’s account. Settings include notifications on/off, automatically publishing sending/receiving gifts to their wall, email notifications for application updates, etc.

Leveling Up
By reaching a certain number of LP, the user will be able to level up in rank. The ranking system follows the Elfpath belt system. The user will start out as a white belt, and after reaching X number of LP, can move onto future belts. The specific increments are TBD for balance/testing. Belts will serve to show others what rank you are and how long you have been using the application. Additionally, as a user reaches higher belt levels, he or she will have access to extra gifts to choose from.

shiny idea, jacob! i would love to see the outcome =D

on a side note, such gifts need images. now, im not the best for creating random shapes, but im getting really good at making buttons and similar. should you need any help with that :3

Oh I really love that idea

I have to dig out my old idea of EP quizes on Facebook

Great idea, Jacob, let us know if you need anything to make this thing happen : )

I think this is awesome!

This will be such an awesome application! : D