I don't know if the suggestions on this board get that much attention, but I suppose posting here is better than not posting at all, so here it goes.
My idea is to spruce up the Ranking Lists (alch, blacksmith, and TK) to add a bit more competitiveness to them. While the Alchemist list doesn't seem like it's in need of much help, I can't say the same about the Blacksmith or TK lists :x
SO, a simple solution to add some life to what is a pretty cool system - add time-based rewards for them! Naturally, you don't have to add it exactly as I describe, but the following is the basic outline for the idea:
-At the first maint of every month, the Ranking Lists are posted, and prizes are given out. Then the ranking lists are reset.
- 1st Place gets Something Really Cool (10~ ACAs?)
- 2nd through 5th Place gets something Pretty Cool (5~ Jewelry Boxes?)
- 6th through 10th Place gets something Somewhat Cool (20~ WoE Supply Boxes?)
Prizes could use some tweaking, depending on how big a deal you want them to be. You could even have them change every month, or have mystery prizes, or add a bonus if first place exceeds X points. You could make the prizes vary based on the list (Alchemists get huge piles of Starsands/Alcohol, Blacksmiths get Ores, TKs get something else cool). You could even include things like Manuals, Gum, WP, Kafra Points, etc.
Depending on the prizes that are decided on, I believe that a simple system like this could really inject some life into the Ranking systems. While the Alch list doesn't really need the help, the other two definitely could (hell, the TK list #1 hasn't even broke 200 points!). It would take literally no coding or new items or anything, it would only require that one person checks the list and mails out some items, and then wipes the list every maintenance.
Just a real simple system that I think could help alot!
To players who might read this section: What would you consider to be fair prizes for a monthly competition like this? Be creative!