The Game Always Wins

The main points of the talk were:

1. Gamification is a Trojan Horse. It’s a new technology that changes the relationship between people like us, and businesses that want us as players. The real question is, what’s the catch? Who’s inside? Who gains and (the big question) who loses?
2. I describe 3 “levels” of gamification from the Player perspective. Ways to know if you’re playing gamification to your best advantage. The levels are zombie, pirate, and ninja.
3. I also describe 3 “levels” of gamification from the Business’s perspective. Determined by which of the 3 player-types you optimize for. The levels are shark, squid, and dolphin.
4. I tie these thoughts together with an attempt at making a case for 16 ways to win (beyond the simplistic “competitive” win which we think of when we talk about winning). The 16 ways to win are described by Steven Reiss in his book “Who Am I” but I also tie in thoughts from Daniel Pink, Dan Gilbert, Jane McGonigal, Raph Koster, and Charlie Sheen. My theory is that through these 16 victories we can map elements of motivation, happiness, fun, and gamification.
5. I show examples from Coke, Carl’s Jr, Zynga, Foursquare, Mindsnacks, Khan Academy, and Groupon.
6. Gamification is a convivial technology (a phrase coined from Kevin Kelly which I love).

I’d love to hear any feedback that anyone has about the general thoughts. It was a fun talk to give.

My intention here is to create a factory of social learning projects that work towards a common goal and gain momentum by rolling down the hill together.

A project, for the purposes of this site, is something that meets the following criteria:

1. Has a well-defined objective
2. Requires learning something new
3. Contributes to a well-balanced and healthy life
4. Brings attention and appreciation to a neglected topic
5. Produces something
6. Has a social or sharable element
7. Has good intentions

Once a project is begun, I will track it.  Tracking my projects here is a project in itself.

See all projects.