Have you heard of the startup Gravity? It’s in the same space as Zaang, a company that we have covered before.
I was researching the application to get some background on it, perhaps to do a comparison piece, give away some invites, or give it some straight up coverage. The company is going to be saddened that this is the post that they get, but so be it.
I have become in the last six months quite the little gamer, and all of it by accident. I logged into Gravity and what did I see? This:
I was confused. When did I start collecting badges on Gravity, why did I need more, and why did I have to spam my friends to get a badge that I did not even know the name of? The game has changed, pun intended.
I began to wonder, what does Gravity, a startup focused on creating conversations on around specific niche topics, have to do with gaming? Think about the other games that you are part of. Zaang. Foursquare. Glue. Gowalla. The list goes on, and on.
What the heck is going on here? It’s actually pretty obvious. Every web company wants to be “sticky.” They want people coming back again, and again, and again. Everyday, if they can finagle it. What is a dead simple way to get people to come back? Make the product into a game.
Made ten comments? Have a badge. If you write twenty-five comments, your badge changes color! Don’t get me wrong, I treat my Guru status on Glue of Metallica like people treat the mayorship of their favorite nightclub. I get why it works. But it has downsides.
If you turn to a game to make your application sticky, the application itself might not be. That is, games are a simple (I would even say cheap) way to get people to come back, even if they do not really want to use your service. If your mayorship was not on the line, would you really check in every time you went to your favorite Starbucks? I bet not.
Make it a game and you are hooked. At least for now.
So yes, it may cover some holes in your product, but if it works, it works. I can live with that. Games do have another problem however, one that gameless applications that are sticky all on their own do not have: people tire of games quickly. Much more quickly than great applications.
Time you spend building a game inside of your product is time that you do not spend making your app great. Let’s keep using Fouraquare as the example, as it is one of the largest games out there. I got over the game part of Foursquare in around a day. I realized that people were going out of their way to check in places, and that I would have to do the same to become the mayor of just about anywhere. Done, not point for me to get into the game.
Take away the game aspect and Foursquare is a heck of a lot less appealing to me. Sure, Foursquare introduced sixteen new badges for SXSW, but did they really do anything else but a website redesign? You get it, the lack of new features.
So yes, games can be useful. And I must say, in the case of Foursquare, brilliant, but they are just games. Games come and go, and do not make great applications. People who are looking to make their applications better cannot just turn to a game component and expect magic to flow. It can help, but it cannot be more than 10% of your product. If it is, your focus is off.
Do you really want to be a game developer? Probably not.
So I am going to back of my use of applications that are game heavy and new, I just cannot worry about one other website where my badges are in danger of being threatened by other users. One or two are enough.
After all, I did not join up on Gravity to play a game, or garner badges. I assumed that I was there to talk about things, as the product is intended. Focus is something that we all appreciate.
What do you think about games? Worth the time? A waste of energy?
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
I don't know, games like Farmville and WoW seem to have pretty endless appeal for some people. I think so long as the game element evolves, this could be a really smart move for some companies.
Whether it results better apps, as you say, is a whole different matter. For Gowalla/Foursquare, etc, the game doesn't really get in the way of the app if you don't want to play them. As long as these elements are secondary, fair enough I suppose.
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
as advertiser i think its the best way to spread branded content in a “attractive way”
gaming might be a key for future generations to learn
some apps are even usefull tools witch are associated in a positive way and strenghten a brand, it wont work out for everything and if you have like 5 same apps for the same thing…
people will always crave for sth which enternains them
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
i think the reason why most applications in the internet are games because the market is bigger and the demand is higher.
Very well put. By creating these games companies have a much better chance to growing their “brand” quickly which is the overall goal of most online marketers.
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
One of the reasons that we are thinking about building game elements in the site design, is to kick start usage. Games have clear rules, clear goals and clear rewards. We are aware that games might only keep people engaged for a little, but it might bring them high enough on the learning curve, that they'll actually start to see the real benefits of the application. Anyone ever tried out this game? http://www.officelabs.com/ribbonhero
Hmmm…I see a start-up idea in this mess.
Hmmm…I see a start-up idea in this mess.
A friend of mine likes to cite the 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' where the main character's father believes that Windex is the solution to any problem – big or small. Just spray some Windex on it. For some, gaming and specifically, the check-in economy, is the proverbial Windex that solves all problems. Arguably, this says less about gaming or check-ins, and more about human nature in picking the carcass clean of any interesting or original ideas.
“picking the carcass clean of any interesting or original ideas.” well said.
“picking the carcass clean of any interesting or original ideas.” well said.
Not all game dynamics are created equal.
I completely agree with you, Alex, that when game mechanics are sprinkled on as an afterthought (or otherwise just not well conceived), they have, at best, temporary appeal. By contrast (hopefully!) we spent a long time at Whrrl thinking through the game mechanics in Whrrl 3, and we think they will have long-term appeal and propel the core value prop of the product, namely to end Social Rut — to help people *escape from* Farmville (whose game dynamics are stronger? :-) ) and back into the real world for some adventure.
In Whrrl 3, you earn “influence points” for inspiring others with your check-ins, your experiences, your invites to join you at places, your recommendations. You get big points when people actually act on your stuff, like by saying they want to do it or they did it or by re-recommending it. The points allow you to level up, giving your recs more weight, and unlocking more and more valuable merchant offers and special powers in Whrrl. (The special powers are all tied to the core value prop, as well.) There's more to it, but that's the gist.
The point is that the underlying app has a very clear value prop and the gaming elements are tightly integrated into that value prop and actually garner real value to the user vs. just a bigger and bigger point count or the like. I think these are the sorts of game mechanics that will sustain. That sounds kind of obvious in retrospect, but then why don't more products exhibit these characteristics? Because it's hard enough to design a good game *or* design a good app; designing both in parallel so they work together in a symbiotic way is super extra hard (to use a technical term).
In any case, I love that there are so many social gaming experiments going on right now — it makes for a very interesting education for all of us, as the winning formulas will ultimately shine through.
You need to email me about Whrrl.
Hey Alex – I agree completely. You put lipstick on a pig, and it's still a pig. Game mechanics enhance good content/community/service experiences, they don't replace them.
And there is “a startup idea in this mess” :) My company, Bunchball, provides game mechanics (points, levels, leaderboards, badges, virtual goods, social media, etc.) as a web service that can be integrated into any experience. Our customers include Comcast, NBC, Warner Bros, and others, using it on both consumer facing sites and on corporate intranets to motivate employees.
So our customers can focus on creating great core experiences, and they can can use game mechanics to make them more fun and compelling, while at the same time driving business value.
If you're interested in this topic, we tweet whenever we find interesting articles on “gamification” – http://twitter.com/bunchball
- rajat (founder, Bunchball)
Hey Alex – I agree completely. You put lipstick on a pig, and it's still a pig. Game mechanics enhance good content/community/service experiences, they don't replace them.
And there is “a startup idea in this mess” :) My company, Bunchball, provides game mechanics (points, levels, leaderboards, badges, virtual goods, social media, etc.) as a web service that can be integrated into any experience. Our customers include Comcast, NBC, Warner Bros, and others, using it on both consumer facing sites and on corporate intranets to motivate employees.
So our customers can focus on creating great core experiences, and they can can use game mechanics to make them more fun and compelling, while at the same time driving business value.
If you're interested in this topic, we tweet whenever we find interesting articles on “gamification” – http://twitter.com/bunchball
- rajat (founder, Bunchball)
Hey Alex – I agree completely. You put lipstick on a pig, and it's still a pig. Game mechanics enhance good content/community/service experiences, they don't replace them.
And there is “a startup idea in this mess” :) My company, Bunchball, provides game mechanics (points, levels, leaderboards, badges, virtual goods, social media, etc.) as a web service that can be integrated into any experience. Our customers include Comcast, NBC, Warner Bros, and others, using it on both consumer facing sites and on corporate intranets to motivate employees.
So our customers can focus on creating great core experiences, and they can can use game mechanics to make them more fun and compelling, while at the same time driving business value.
If you're interested in this topic, we tweet whenever we find interesting articles on “gamification” – http://twitter.com/bunchball
- rajat (founder, Bunchball)
Hey Alex – I agree completely. You put lipstick on a pig, and it's still a pig. Game mechanics enhance good content/community/service experiences, they don't replace them.
And there is “a startup idea in this mess” :) My company, Bunchball, provides game mechanics (points, levels, leaderboards, badges, virtual goods, social media, etc.) as a web service that can be integrated into any experience. Our customers include Comcast, NBC, Warner Bros, and others, using it on both consumer facing sites and on corporate intranets to motivate employees.
So our customers can focus on creating great core experiences, and they can can use game mechanics to make them more fun and compelling, while at the same time driving business value.
If you're interested in this topic, we tweet whenever we find interesting articles on “gamification” – http://twitter.com/bunchball
- rajat (founder, Bunchball)
Hey Alex – I agree completely. You put lipstick on a pig, and it's still a pig. Game mechanics enhance good content/community/service experiences, they don't replace them.
And there is “a startup idea in this mess” :) My company, Bunchball, provides game mechanics (points, levels, leaderboards, badges, virtual goods, social media, etc.) as a web service that can be integrated into any experience. Our customers include Comcast, NBC, Warner Bros, and others, using it on both consumer facing sites and on corporate intranets to motivate employees.
So our customers can focus on creating great core experiences, and they can can use game mechanics to make them more fun and compelling, while at the same time driving business value.
If you're interested in this topic, we tweet whenever we find interesting articles on “gamification” – http://twitter.com/bunchball
- rajat (founder, Bunchball)
Hey Alex – I agree completely. You put lipstick on a pig, and it's still a pig. Game mechanics enhance good content/community/service experiences, they don't replace them.
And there is “a startup idea in this mess” :) My company, Bunchball, provides game mechanics (points, levels, leaderboards, badges, virtual goods, social media, etc.) as a web service that can be integrated into any experience. Our customers include Comcast, NBC, Warner Bros, and others, using it on both consumer facing sites and on corporate intranets to motivate employees.
So our customers can focus on creating great core experiences, and they can can use game mechanics to make them more fun and compelling, while at the same time driving business value.
If you're interested in this topic, we tweet whenever we find interesting articles on “gamification” – http://twitter.com/bunchball
- rajat (founder, Bunchball)
While sprinkling game mechanics on an application doesn't necessarily make it better, in the case of Gravity there seems to be the potential to use game mechanics to improve the discussions by rewarding “positive” behaviour and activity. Game mechanisms do not necessarily require an actual game to have an effect.
While sprinkling game mechanics on an application doesn't necessarily make it better, in the case of Gravity there seems to be the potential to use game mechanics to improve the discussions by rewarding “positive” behaviour and activity. Game mechanisms do not necessarily require an actual game to have an effect.
While sprinkling game mechanics on an application doesn't necessarily make it better, in the case of Gravity there seems to be the potential to use game mechanics to improve the discussions by rewarding “positive” behaviour and activity. Game mechanisms do not necessarily require an actual game to have an effect.
Alex:
I just got your article forwarded to me. Interesting stuff.
I'm the author of the book Game-Based Marketing (Wiley 4/10), the first look at how companies large & small are using game mechanics and Funware to create and engage their communities: http://gamebasedmarketing.com.
Setting aside the bah/humbug replies to your post, I do want to point out the mere fact of using game mechanics doesn't signal a lack of focus on the part of the developer, nor does it reflect a desire to shift yours (or their) attention away from their underlying product. In fact, game mechanics are often the only way to get someone to do something that's necessary for the product to work.
Take Foursquare. Why did it suddenly get traction/create a market after 5 years of false starts (including their original startup, Dodgeball)? The check-in is essential for the bar to not appear empty (and for the product to be viable), but there is no product/design incentive for users to check in. So strict, non-Funware adherents would be stuck, just a Loopt, Brightkite, Dodgeball and dozens of others were. Game mechanics in this case were deliberately unleashed to solve that specific problem, and in the process have created an entire category.
Similarly, people love having fun. It seems a bit old-school to suggest both utility and fun aren't possible at the same time, don't you think? :)
-Gabe
At Perfect800.com, an online SAT company in beta launch, we’ve been utilizing game mechanics to increase peer-to-peer competition by developing SAT Math battles, challenges, etc as part of our free offering that allow users to develop experience points that can later be redeemed prior to becoming a paid user. The ability to engage users early in the process and provide real value in a way that no demo can is proving extremely valuable. Additionally, these video game inflences provide us with more metrics that we can then use to improve our solution.
very nice article
http://www.hedeya.net