The sustainably of the makerworld points system has always been in doubt.
Where does the money to pay the creators come from, when Bambu’s marketing department ceases paying it to popuarize the platform?
The perks from posting “good” models are definitely decreasing. I had to wait and wait to get enough points for a decent filament order. I also wonder if old models might be getting more exposure than new ones but that does provide opportunities to draw people in to see new models and get more points.
We are collectively the gold mine that fills Bambu’s pockets. Bambu features the model collections right alongside the printers. It’s a huge selling point.
The fact is, to create the best models to post for others takes time, effort, parts, and filament. If there is no way to recoup those costs - costs that we directly bear - creating things just to post them just digs people into a hole. Bambu benefits disproportionately from all these efforts unless you get a very popular model that Bambu actively boosts.
It would take everyone acting together to get any kind of change to these ever-decreasing benefits. A week of everyone marking all their models as private where a big chunk of models just disappeared might get the point across.
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I also track the performance of my models. It still looks like the milestones that went into effect on March 19 are still being followed, for the most part. I see a few odd exceptions here and there. The biggest factor in the point decreases seems to be strange fluctuations in the amount of the milestone awards. For example, the same model, in the same tier, might receive 13 points today and in a few days 14 points. They are applying some kind of adjustment factor that makes small alterations day to day. I had a simple model receive the lowest “model design award” I had ever seen (9 points), which make sense to me. But then I had a non-simple model also receive 9 points. It is the randomness that I find frustrating.
A long running topic of concern on MakerWorld is that simple models that can be created in an hour received the same rewards as models that take weeks to develop. It is an issue that has been referenced with the MakerWorld point updates and in statements made by the Bambu CEO. There has been a conscious effort to encourage more sophisticated models. They are now giving rewards for using things like screws and electric motors, and for prints that use large amounts of filament.
For instance one can look at one of your more popular models.
And then compare it to Josh-3D’s latest.
As it used to be, both models would receive the same rewards per print. I don’t know the process but it seems to me that they have been adjusting their point system to discourage simple objects while incentivizing more sophisticated models.
By the way, my point accumulation has remained rather constant since the latest point system upgrade.
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I have absolutely nothing against complex models getting more points per print. In fact, I’m all for it. I think a much better metric is “print hours” and “filament used” combined with some other things to take complexity and reach into equation.
I’m in no way shape of form suggesting my simpler models should get the same points per print compared to Josh-3D’s model. I have no idea how anyone can come to that conclusion based on my post.
However, that’s missing the entire point of my message. The point of the message is, companies will try to sell you enshittification as upgrades (many are doing it right now). Of course they won’t say: “Everyone will get less now, if you make complex models, your rewards will be reduced less”. They’ll just say: “Complex models will be rewarded more now”, which can mean multiple things. I already gave an example for it:
Previously simple models could be getting 100X, complex models could be getting 150X, then you can adjust it so simpler models get 50X, complex models get 100X. Complex models in that new structure are getting proportionally more. Yet I’m not sure anyone cares about that, considering in absolute terms everyone would be getting less.
Point of my message is, that might be the case here considering Bambu’s track record on the matter. Bambu doesn’t say anything specific, they speak in very vague terms. That’s why I opened the thread, to see what’s the experience of others. Based on what I read so far, their experience seems to be mostly inline with I would expect.
I’m surprised you selected basically one of my simplest models even though it’s far, far from being one of my most popular (it’s my 10th most popular, amongst about 25 after I got serious about this) and selected one of the most complex models I’ve seen on MakerWorld on the other side. I don’t think there is anyone here that would argue that they should get the same points per print. It’s pretty obvious they shouldn’t. The model of mine you shared isn’t even contributing 3% to my daily points, it’s quite irrelevant to the point I’m trying to get across and stats I shared.
Not really. The reaction to this round of upgrade is relatively mute. If there were noticeable reward point changes for enough uploaders, there would have been multiple threads going at the same, each having hundreads of replies daily.
I don’t have a guess on what would happen. I haven’t been following the forum long enough to make a guess on that. The comment was based on me reading comments on both threads. Edited my message to make that clear.
Would you like to contribute by sharing your daily stats, before and after the change?
I’m nowhere near the popularity or volume of some of the people in this discussion, so I’m just throwing out what I’m seeing from my own account.
Since the last major points update in March, I’ve noticed on-and-off changes. Some have been good, some have not. The biggest change for me is not just the points themselves, but how quickly newer models seem to get buried.
Here’s an example. I released a model in April that outperformed every model I had ever released during its first 4–5 weeks. It had roughly 125 downloads and around 70 prints, which is a solid performer for me, and it earned a decent number of points compared to my normal models. I was excited, I thought I had a model that would continue to build, even if a little slower. It felt good.
Then it just cratered. Less than 10 downloads/prints total in over a month after that, and it’s pretty stagnant now. I feel like if I deleted it and re-released it, it would have the same outcome.
That is not how my better-performing models usually behave. Normally, when one of my models gets traction, it may slow down, but it tends to keep building over time. Lately, it feels like only my already-established models continue to grow, albeit slower, probably because they are starting to hit high tiers that require many more prints and downloads, while newer models that are not already well established drop off much faster than they used to or do not perform at all.
My guess is that the volume of new uploads is a major part of this. There seem to be more designers than ever uploading multiple models per day, and many newer models are getting pushed down before they have much time to breathe. I’m not trying to turn this into another AI model-quality debate, because there are already enough threads on that, but the sheer volume of uploads seems to be drowning out models that would previously have had a better chance after the initial exclusive/new-model push.
I personally wish they would start limiting uploads per week/month and increase that limit for designers whose models have been successful or well-received. That would not fix everything, but it might slow down the flood of low-effort uploads and give newer quality models a little more room to be seen.
To be clear, I have definitely noticed that my more complex models seem to be rewarded better, and my less complex models not so much, especially in the last week. Honestly, I’m okay with that. I do think models that take more time, filament, print hours, testing, hardware, etc. should generally be rewarded better than very simple models.
So from my side, I’m not seeing a simple “everything is worse” pattern. My older established models still perform reasonably well, and my more complex models do seem to be treated better. What feels different is that newer models have a much shorter window to gain traction, and once they lose visibility, they seem to fall off much harder than they used to.
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I see. I have been here long enough to know a big reaction when I see one. You probably won’t miss the signs either. If there are noticeable (doesn’t have to be big) decreases for enough people, the following signs will be there: hundreds of threats to take models somewhere else, to never use MakerWorld again, to stop buying BL products. Also mentions of lawyers, EU laws, etc.
I haven’t looked at my points (but I know they are not enough without looking 
) because I have sort of delegated the task to the community: if I see the above signs then I would know the change is worth checking. So far there is none.
The “I’m taking my toys and going home” reaction, hahahahaha
Ahh, sorry to anyone that might feel that hits a little too close to home.
DWdesigns is right though, there is a huge flood of post when things change more drastically.
We’re also getting into summer months, and things slow down a bit in the summer. An uncomfortable amount of slow down, if you’re relying on that income stream. I guess I haven’t read the whole thread, considered all the numbers. I’m just responding based on my vibes of the situation over the past few years.
No one wants to be sweating over a hot 3d printer in the summer.
I have no comments on any recent mentions of my name. 
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You should, we are all jealous of that crane, it’s incredible! 
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Well, I guess I’ll just say I think it’s a more complex topic when you start comparing models as such. I know there’s been a lot of concern among model makers that do make relatively more complex models. There’s more to it than just like the raw likes/prints, whatever. I think the balance is tipped towards the more complex side when it comes down to it, but it’s not always easy to see.
The fact of the matter too is people like what they like, simple or complex. That and complex is a commitment.
I just don’t wanna be in the spotlight like that, haha. No offense to anyone. I just think we all make different things, and we all have our audiences too.
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@Josh-3D I’m having a hard time understanding the recommendation there regarding drastic changes, or if I made a mistake opening the thread. I shared stats, explained my situation, explained what I’m considering. Asked for others that want to share about their situation, to confirm or deny a suspicion I have based on Bambu’s own history, and their recent post (and a general trend with tech companies in other industries).
Is the correct strategy to judge a situation like this is not opening a thread, waiting for others to open a thread, and if they don’t, there is no problem? I also don’t get what would constitute “drastic” here. 15%, 20%, 30%? The rate of change would change from account to account, and its effects would change from person to person (hence someone opening a thread or not). That’s exactly why I’m asking for other people’s experiences. To judge if there is a change with their stats as well, if there is, how much of a change. I’m aware of the potential pitfalls with that sort of data, as far as I’m concerned it’s better than no data.
Would you be willing to share stats as well if you are tracking so that reader of the thread can have a better idea of a change either way?
I don’t really track stats that closely because I think it’ll drive me crazy. Mostly on overall trends, which this time of year things slow down a bit. I don’t doubt the data you’re seeing. I don’t know how to feel about it. I was keeping an eye on this thread a little to see what the vibe is. If others aren’t feeling it like you are, then I’m sure that’s something uncomfortable to sit with. Again though, if others aren’t looking at the data like you are, maybe they just chock it up more to summer slow down.
I haven’t had as many recent releases either, with a lot of my catalog being a bit older, so I’ve had some downward trends as it was as I focused on that crane project. Hopefully it was worth it! Haha.
Don’t do this though. If you’re concerned, diversify. Hold some models back from the exclusive program and start building up on a couple of other platforms. I think Makerworld still gives the best rewards, but you just need your tentacles in more things.
Non-exclusive models are nice for filament and gear, and help expand your audience with users of other brands, as you build up a little on other sites.
I’m not even doing this as best as I could, haha, but I have a little going.
I like me some Bambu printers and Makerworld, but you know, you’ve gotta take care of yourself too, cover your bases, and all that.
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@Josh-3D Thanks for sharing your side. Regarding a slowdown, I haven’t seen it on my account yet. I’ll see what happens over the summer. My guess is that it changes quite significantly from account to account based on what sort of models they create. For almost anything except points (prints, downloads, boosts, new followers, front page appearances, views, and some other combined metrics I “make up” myself) last 2 weeks were one of the best I’ve had so far. Just not points (by a long margin).
Regarding diversification. I don’t need to on this particular area. I’m looking into other platforms already to see if it makes sense for me or not. I’m a software developer, this isn’t my main job. Just a hobby I got too attached to over the last 10 months that ended up paying okay for a while
That being said I’m still waiting to see more data from other people, especially if they have relatively consistent print/download/boost/like/follower etc. counts during last 2-3 weeks. That is the point of the thread anyways. I’m also hoping people from Bambu check these threads of course. So it’s public feedback. The alternative is no feedback, which I don’t think will gain anything for you, I, or any other creator.
The other factor to consider is!
Simple models often solve a problem lots of people have and complex models often don’t, or if they do, their complexity and underlying requirements mean many don’t print them.
Neither is right and neither is wrong.
The rule changes now mean the small thing many people actually prints is downgraded.
Complex models due to their nature may not get the numbers to make huge sums, some do, but way smaller numbers in general.
Do we hate the small thing because it isn’t as complicated as other models? BL does based on their own information.
Do we love the things that are complicated. BL does based on their own information.
I love your latest crane model and remote, it is a technical marvel. Will I print it! Unlikely, but only as I have no use for it. That doesn’t stop me admiring the time, quality, attention to detail and every other factor that went into it.
Will people print a chip (crisps) bag grip that keeps the contents fresh, of course they will.
Your model will be rewarded more per download or print, yet despite its greatness, it doesn’t solve a problem so many have.
Does this mean simple models should go and only complex ones stay? BL appears to be pushing for that, as an intended or unintended consequence.
The old, we don’t want coasters or key chains in the exclusive program, why, because there are so many. Why are there so many? Because they are popular downloads.
At least when Apple said “no more fart apps”l it was because you can’t reinvent the original forever, yet coasters and key chains haven’t run out of uniqueness yet.
The other great idea is that the more a model is popular (based on downloads) the less worthwhile it is for points.
Is it less worthwhile for the ten thousandths downloader than it was for the first?
Does McDonald’s sell the Big Mac at a greater reduced price now than they did when it was first introduced? Of course not. Does the download take more resources for the first or the 10k one, nope, the same equally, yet the rewards are greatly diminished.
Bambu Lab isn’t a market place, it doesn’t have a business relationship with the creators. It serves its own interest to not have that relationship. It could come to regret that.
Will people throw their toys out, at some point yes, should that be ridiculed, possibly, until a newer, better offering arrives to take the crown Bambu Lab once took.
I do not wish ill will towards Bambu Lab, I have only sought they were better. I don’t benefit from the income being screwed over as I donate everything to schools and the schoolchildren. So, it is the education of school children, those being gifted printers and filament that suffer, those who will choose their own future printers.
With innovations occurring everywhere else and BL recent printers being merely low-key evolutions, the downgrading of rewards for providing a massive sales tool to make it so much easier to use the printers from day one, BL seem intent on damaging their own future.
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Somewhat unrelated, but how did you get those “top x” figures in your first post?
This is how I look.
Use the filters in the main MakerWorld page.
Either look at everything or search for a keyword you are looking for, then change the sort appropriately.
You can filter down to a period of time.
A good one to use is trending over 7 days, a month or more. Tough to get into this window, but if you do, the bump is great.
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Well, I need to modify my opinion some on the changes to the point system. I’m not a fan of how fast the models age out of generating points. I looked back at my old models in the Creator Center and they are seeing fair activity but the aging off of points has made them worth close to nothing now.
Another big factor is the big fish models are the ones people download and print, and there’s a lot of them. That’s the other side. If I’m honest about my stuff vs the heavy hitters, their models are just better in that they are composed better and the subjects are more universal in appeal. Some amazing designs like Josh’s crane (apologies - I said MaKim - both do great work!) and others.
I think a significant part of the decrease I’ve seen has been the fast aging but also the fact that so many good designers are now taking more and more of the oxygen. It’s not easy to capture peoples’ imaginations like many here do.
For me, the better answer is “get gooder” but also keep things fresh with new models.