I suggest Kevan introduce trophies into the game. These would be one of a kind unique items found in museums less than .5% of the time, their name created randomly by slapping some adjectives on an object. For instance:

Sparkling Black Diamond

There could be a "Dull Red Diamond" or a "Sparkling Black Bowl" or a "Bright Black Diamond" but never again another "Sparkling Black Diamond." And with hundreds of object names, colors, and adjectives to draw on even similar objects would be rare and identical ones almost impossible.

These trophy art objects cannot be placed in buildings, but instead passed to other survivors (and zombies) like the Halloween Candy that was briefly introduced. Trophy art would have no encumbrance but you would only be able to hold three at a time. Other players would see what trophy art you have in your profile beneath the clothes you're wearing in a new "Holding:" section.

So let's say I want to throw an event called the Grand Mall Race. I announce that the winner of the Grand Mall Race will receive the fabulous Gold Checkerpattern Watch, that I spent some time trying to find in a museum. Then when the winner arrives I can actually hand them the prize, and they can display it in their profile for as long as they like.

Now yes, the 3 item limit does prevent people from collecting unlimited awards. But this is a good thing, it encourages people to give their award to the next winner. That Gold Checkpattern Watch could be passed on next year at the second Grand Mall Race. It encourages events that run at regular intervals into perpetuity. And if the last winner left the game without returning the prize, oh well, just announce that the prize is now some other object you found.

Uses of Trophy:

• Contest Awards
• Relay races
• Roleplaying (take this snazzy emerald ring m'love!)
• Just having cool stuff in your profile

And you'd be able to set your profile to not receive objects if you want to avoid the whole silly business.