Recommendations network Trusted Opinion is stepping up their game (pun intended) with the recent addition of new social gaming elements.
This includes coins, gifts, badges, and regional leader-boards that support a competitive social experience that rewards members for local-area expertise.
Users now work toward the ultimate goal of becoming the top “Guru” in their area and the status becomes harder to achieve as regions become more popular.
Members can earn coins for high value activities and/or purchase them to accelerate their status on the site. Coins are the primary way for members to engage with each other, using them to purchase virtual gifts and give “Respect” points for great content.
We interviewed Todd Greene, CEO of Trusted Opinion, at TechCrunch 40 back in 2007. They now support 43 languages and have over one million registered members. You’ve come a long way, baby! 
