This is....I guess, the "official running" statement of Nike Running on why Badges & Trophies have not been "showing up" on Nike+ users profiles lately:
It's the "standard" reply they've been giving to customers and askers on Facebook who've been asking/wondering about those badges and trophies that have not been credited to them last February when the "Dragon badge" (sposedly given when a Nike+ run/activity is done by a Nike+ user last February 10th - The Chinese New Year --well, probably not everyone knew this in the Nike+ Community) and another, almost immediately after that on February 14th, in which a "Chocolate Heart" badge is supposedly given when again, a "run or activity" is made on that date (this one almost everyone probably knew coz its Valentine's Day). Nike Running has gone on to further say that aside from or along with this "standard surprise spiel", certain badges (they're not saying all, at least --- as they are conveniently also not posting or acknowledging any "official list" of Nike+ badges/trophies earned) are "2012-specific" and hence are not showing and most likely, will not be showing up anymore on as "Achievement" badges. Well, that's just fine and dandy an "excuseplanation" (a combination of excuses & explanation). Too bad for us "newer Nike+ customers" we'll just have to grin and bear it this 2013. This just sucks btw. They should just have been straight-forward with us about that from the very start, at least beginning this year, 2013 when the "Resolution" badges (awarded for those who "ran" last Jan.01, New Year's Day) suddenly didn't get credited too (which probably started Nike+ being "surprised" at themselves more). I dunno about you fellow badgers, but I'm pretty much very disappointed with this "surprising development" in Nike's "stand" on this issue...I mean, c'mon they basically kinda "killed off" hope on getting this "Achievement Badges" bug fixed....Although, I must admit, its kinda "brilliant", bullshity as it may sound... on their part to answer a "technical issue" (in my opinion) with a "marketing spiel": ...of "we just want to surprise you" or the even worse, "we don't want to ruin the surprise". Heller?!? You already ruined it! Instead of "fixing the problem"....they just decided to stop looking into it altogether (or it seems that they stop even assuring as that they are or will be looking into it). How can we be "delighted and motivated" to go out and be "active" on certain "special/memorable" days this 2013 if what was a "norm" last 2012 (and even in years before that) is suddenly "inconsistent"...or worse, and more to the point, non-existent anymore? I'm just not buying into that "surprise spiel" of theirs. In fact, my buying of Nike+ products (was intitally looking into the Fuelband & GPS watch) will also be most likely 2012-specific also."We want Nike+ achievements to be a source of motivation, surprise, and delight to our users."
Excellent post.
ReplyDeleteI too run and use my iPhone with the Nike+ running application. I used to use the Nike+ sensor but found that it suffered from calibration issues that inflated my running stats to almost professional athlete status. I have never run 25km but not according to my sensor!
I have been promoting the use of Nike's free application through my running blog, not many of my friends seem too keen on using it, but feel that since Nike is giving up on me I too will give up on them, or promoting this product.
I have read countless articles that state that people will exercise more often if they are motivated with some type of reward, even non-tangible digital trophies! I know I was out on New Year's Day in the cold hoping for that Resolution badge. Same thing on Valentine's Day. I am very disappointed that Nike is stopping their reward system and feel cheated with their Twitter and FB comments implying they have been "working on things."
I can't even seem to get the mileage trophies that I earned for the month of January - save for the Bronze trophy that appears every time I log-in to my account.
Maybe more people will complain and Nike will realize the service they are providing is a valuable one, and the fact that it's free makes it even better.
Cheers.
@Gordon M.: I hear you GM, and thanks for the comments. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one "hung up" on what seems to be a "silly rewards system" --which it is NOT really; and I suspect a lot of other Nike+ Badgers like us are just as secretly "surprised" (not pleasantly) by Nike+'s "failure" to get this rewards/awards system fixed. I mean how "hard" can it be to get this sorted out? With all of Nike's resources... And why suddenly stop now when it was going well in 2012? Did they (Nike+ peeps) really believed that the world was going to end last year?!? o_O
ReplyDeletePS: I'm still waiting for my 2012 Mayan Doomsday Badge (Dec.21)btw!!! (^_^)
I am due the following badges:
ReplyDeleteSneakerhead, stormproof, butterfly and comfort zone. Nike plus just keeps telling me that they are working on the issue. I have had some badges appear and disappear as well. They are obviously lacking in the technical support area.
@Will Sinclar,
DeleteI got my Sneakerhead months ago, late last year I think (without even meaning to really...I guess that's the secret to getting these badges)...that and NikeRunning hasnt screwed up there rewards system yet.
I'm aiming for Stormproof and Comfort Zone (Couch) badge this month...just to be certain about it...Im doing it consecutively..so I only run the same exact routes when it rains...and for good measure 10+ times in a row.
I'm kinda "spotty" about that "Social Butterfly (?)" badge as I havent really seen anyone (at least in my Nike+ Friends likst) that got it.