One of the biggest trends we’ve seen on the Web in the past year has been the growing “Gamification” of websites and online services. From Foursquare to Get Glue and and services like One True Fan and even, er, The Next Web, it seems that badges and leaderboards are everywhere right now.
In order to explain this, San Francisco startup Gamify has launched an in-depth Gamification Encyclopedia. This wiki-based site covers gamification of all kinds, from websites to the ways it’s been applied by governments and industries like healthcare and transport.
Still a work in progress, some sections of the site are under development but its 197 articles are a really good read, with lots of examples of the many different game mechanics, design elements and user features that make up a ‘gamified’ service.
With Gamify set to soon launch its platform to help build ‘gamified’ Web experiences, this is undoubtedly a stunt to drum up some interest but it’s a very useful resource and well worth reading if, like most The Next Web readers, you have a strong interest in Web trends. Just act fast before the badge fatigue we predicted recently starts to kick in.
Gamification does seem to be a nice, fun little way to instill a bit of loyalty. How much do we credit Gowalla and Foursquare with this?
@Simon Cooper I think they were where it started although XBox Live achievements probably deserve some credit too.
@Simon Cooper And obviously, going back further, retail loyalty programmes with points etc.
In regard to Gamification badges are just the tip of the iceberg. VRM, Facebook Credits and other users rewards will appear soon. The basic premise is users should be paid by brands for their time and attention.
Small meaningless things created by the marketing team…with only ONE goal in mind:-Long Term Retention.But nobody asked the consumers why do they participate in these programs in the first place?! Not because they want colorful slick badges but to show off, to be competetive.Isn’t it competition that makes the world go around?
Nice article! Couldn’t agree more on the positive effects of gamification in the workplace.
When you think about the power of gamification it is truly outstanding. I recently read a post about how a company as using gamification for employee scheduling to increase sales. Check it out “How Gamification Can Help Increase Sales”( http://skedx.com/employee-engagement/how-gamification-can-help-increase-sales/).
cool good info for me it will help !!!