American Business Embraces 'Gamification' 109
Hugh Pickens writes "JP Mangalindan writes that for years psychologists have studied what makes video games so engrossing — why do players spend hours accruing virtual points working towards intangible rewards and what characteristics make some games more addictive than others? Now, companies are realizing that 'gamification' — using the same mechanics that hook gamers — is an effective way to generate business. For example, when Nike released Nike + in 2008, it 'gamified' exercise. 'Place the pedometer in a pair of (Nike) sneaks and it monitors distance, pace and calories burned, transmitting that data to the user's iPod. The Nike software loaded on the iPod will then "reward" users if they reach a milestone,' writes Mangalindan. 'If a runner beats his 5-mile distance record, an audio clip from Tour de France cycling champ Lance Armstrong congratulates him.' In addition, users can upload their information, discuss achievements online with other users, and challenge them to distance or speed competitions. The result: to date, Nike has moved well over 1.3 million Nike + units."
Re:Achievements... (Score:5, Interesting)
http://live.gnome.org/OMG [gnome.org]
https://projecthamster.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/gnome-achievements-the-alternative/ [wordpress.com]
Ribbon Hero (Score:5, Interesting)
A few years ago, Microsoft Research Labs created a "game" add-on for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that turned training and using the software features into a bit of a game.
Basically, in challenge mode it gave you some task to perform with an example (such as "Turn on columns and add a vertical line"). When you got it right, you got points.
And in regular mode, the more features of the app you used, the more extra points you got.
A few other twists let you get points for repeating tasks a few times, doing them quickly, using shortcut keys, etc.
And to wrap up it all up, you could post your scores to Facebook automatically and "compete" with your friends.
Everyone I've shown it to really likes it, and it's totally unobtrusive during your normal work unless you're in Challenge Mode.
Re:Achievements... (Score:2, Interesting)
Am I only the one who doesn't need a pat on the back every 5 minutes in order to enjoy something or derive satisfaction from it?
Okay, what if you were patronized with a hand job or a blow job every 5 minutes for something insignificant. Would you complain then?
Re:Achievements... (Score:1, Interesting)
Napoleon was the man who said "a soldier will fight long and hard for a coloured bit of ribbon."
as small as it may be, we like to feel we have accomplished something.
Re:Achievements... (Score:3, Interesting)
After about a half-hour, yes. (Some of us aren't as young as we used to be!)