Points & Scoring System

Points are the core currency of Michigan Spots, reflecting your exploration achievements and progress. Understanding how points work will help you maximize your rewards and climb the leaderboards.

How Points Are Earned

Basic Spot Discovery

Every spot you successfully visit and photograph earns you points:

Easy spots (⭐): 10-25 points
Moderate spots (⭐⭐): 30-50 points
Challenging spots (⭐⭐⭐): 60-100 points
Expert spots (⭐⭐⭐⭐): 120-200 points
Master spots (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): 250-500 points

Bonus Point Opportunities

First Discovery Bonus

First person to find a new spot: +50% of base points
First in your city: +25% of base points
First this month: +10% of base points

Photo Quality Bonus

Exceptional photography: +5 to +20 bonus points
Creative composition: +10 to +30 bonus points
Perfect lighting/timing: +5 to +15 bonus points

Challenge Multipliers

Weekly challenge spots: 1.5x base points
Seasonal event spots: 2x base points
Special themed challenges: 2.5x base points
City vs city competitions: 3x base points

Point Calculation Factors

Difficulty-Based Scoring

Points increase with difficulty because harder spots require:

More time and effort to locate
Better navigation skills and preparation
Physical challenges like hiking or climbing
Research and local knowledge to understand clues
Persistence and problem-solving abilities

Rarity and Popularity

Rarely visited spots: +10-50% bonus
Hidden gems: +25% bonus for spots with <100 visits
Tourist favorites: Standard points (no bonus/penalty)
Overcrowded locations: -10% points (encourages exploration diversity)

Seasonal and Timing Factors

Off-season visits: +15% bonus (visiting beach spots in winter)
Perfect timing: +10% bonus (fall colors, spring flowers)
Weather challenges: +20% bonus (visiting during storms, extreme cold)
Early morning/late evening: +5% bonus (dedication bonus)

Advanced Scoring Mechanics

Streak Bonuses

Maintain consistent activity for bonus multipliers:

3-day streak: +5% on all points
7-day streak: +10% on all points
30-day streak: +25% on all points
100-day streak: +50% on all points

Exploration Diversity

Visiting different types of spots increases your multiplier:

5 different categories: +5% bonus
10 different cities: +10% bonus
All difficulty levels: +15% bonus
All seasons represented: +20% bonus

Community Engagement

Social activities also earn points:

Helpful comments: 1-5 points each
Quality photo shares: 5-10 points
Successful spot recommendations: 10-25 points
Mentoring new players: 50-100 points

Special Point Events

Double Point Weekends

Periodic events where all points are doubled:

Holiday weekends: Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.
Michigan-themed celebrations: Mackinac Bridge Walk weekend
Seasonal kickoffs: First weekend of summer, fall color season
Community milestones: When the game reaches player goals

Flash Challenges

Short-term, high-reward opportunities:

24-hour challenges: 3x points for specific spot types
Weather-based: Bonus points during perfect conditions
Community goals: Extra points when everyone works together
Surprise events: Announced via notifications and social media

Anniversary and Special Events

Game anniversary: All activities earn bonus points
Michigan statehood day: Historic spots get 5x points
Seasonal celebrations: Themed bonuses throughout the year
Partnership events: Special rewards from business partners

Point Penalties and Deductions

Quality Control

To maintain game integrity:

Fake photos: -100 points and temporary suspension
Wrong locations: -25 points (honest mistakes get warnings first)
Spam submissions: -50 points per violation
Inappropriate content: -200 points and account review

Fair Play Enforcement

GPS spoofing: Permanent point reset and account suspension
Multiple accounts: All accounts lose points and may be banned
Coordinated cheating: Severe penalties for organized violations
Harassment: Point penalties plus community restrictions

Using Your Points

Leaderboard Rankings

Points determine your position on various leaderboards:

Global leaderboard: All players worldwide
State rankings: Michigan players only
City competitions: Players from your home city
Friend circles: Compare with people you follow

Achievement Unlocks

Points unlock various achievements and badges:

Milestone badges: 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000+ points
Category mastery: High points in specific spot types
Regional explorer: Points from multiple Michigan regions
Seasonal champion: Top points during specific seasons

Redemption Opportunities

Some points can be redeemed for rewards:

Digital badges: Special recognition on your profile
Physical prizes: Merchandise from partner businesses
Experience rewards: Guided tours or special access
Community recognition: Featured player spotlights

Maximizing Your Points

Strategic Planning

Efficient Route Planning

Cluster nearby spots to visit multiple in one trip
Plan by difficulty - mix easy and hard spots for balanced progress
Consider timing - visit seasonal spots at optimal times
Use AI recommendations for personalized high-value suggestions

Challenge Optimization

Join every weekly challenge for consistent multiplier opportunities
Focus on seasonal events with the highest point multipliers
Participate in city competitions for maximum community bonuses
Complete challenge streaks for cumulative bonuses

Quality Over Quantity

Take exceptional photos to earn quality bonuses
Write helpful descriptions when submitting new spots
Engage meaningfully with the community for social points
Help other players to earn mentorship bonuses

Long-Term Strategy

Build streaks gradually - consistency beats intensity
Diversify your exploration across categories and regions
Participate in community events for relationship building
Stay engaged year-round to catch all seasonal opportunities

Point History and Tracking

Personal Analytics

Track your point earning patterns:

Daily/weekly/monthly totals show your activity trends
Category breakdowns reveal your exploration preferences
Difficulty analysis shows your skill development
Bonus tracking helps you understand what works best

Comparative Analysis

See how you stack up:

Percentile rankings show your relative performance
Improvement trends track your skill development over time
Category comparisons with other players in your skill range
Achievement progress toward your next major milestones

Goal Setting

Use point data to set realistic goals:

Daily targets based on your available time
Weekly challenges to maintain consistent engagement
Monthly objectives for significant achievement progress
Annual goals for major milestone achievements

Point System Updates

Balancing Changes

The point system evolves to maintain fairness:

Difficulty adjustments based on community feedback
New bonus categories as the game grows
Seasonal rebalancing to reflect changing conditions
Community input shapes future point system changes

Staying Informed

Keep up with point system changes:

In-app notifications announce major updates
Community discussions on Reddit provide context
Developer blogs explain the reasoning behind changes
Player feedback influences future modifications

Remember, while points are important for tracking progress and competition, the real reward is discovering amazing places and building connections with fellow explorers. Focus on enjoying the journey, and the points will follow naturally!