game mechanics in design

Game Mechanics:

The Invasion

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Level Selection Screen

Intro

TEST

Main Game Mechanics

TEST

LOCKED!

The Process

FINAL QUESTION: Who wins the Smashing Book?

LOCKED!

Resources

Discussion: Making IxDA a game LOCKED!

LOCKED!

Why this Presentation?

• Recently implemented some game mechanics on GoAnimate.com

• Seeing all the ink being spilled on the topic over the Internet and in the Start-up world

• Going to meeting with clients who are all asking for the same thing: Achievements, Leaderboards,…

What’s the impact on us UX people

Scope of this presentation

Game-definedgoals

User-definedgoals

Key Takeaways

• Be able to identify main game mechanics at play

• Know where to start when your boss asks you to add badges and leaderboards to your product

• Be able to see thru the “buzz” noise

Definition

“Game mechanics are a construct of rules intended to produce an enjoyable game or gameplay.”

User Experience

Definition

• Techniques and tools used to structurethe user experience and goals aroundhaving fun.

• Not a feature, not a product and not the experience

Manipulate behavior

Anxiety

Boredom

Apathy

Ch

alle

nge

Skills

Hard

Easy

Low High

Engaging Games

GAMEMECHANICS

User Conversion Dashboard

Start-up metrics for pirates – SeedCamp 2009

Acquire

Activate(1st visit)

Retain

Refer

$$

Level Selection Screen

IntroTEST

Main Game Mechanics

TEST

ACHIEVEMENT!

LOCKED!

The Process

FINAL QUESTION: Who wins the Smashing Book?

LOCKED!

Resources

Discussion: Making IxDA a game LOCKED!

LOCKED!

YES• You COLLECT things• You earn POINTS• You are driven by FEEDBACK• You can EXCHANGE with other “players”• You can CUSTOMIZE your identity

Level Selection Screen

IntroTEST

Main Game Mechanics

TEST

ACHIEVEMENT!

The Process

FINAL QUESTION: Who wins the Smashing Book?

LOCKED!

UNLOCKED!

Resources

Discussion: Making IxDA a game LOCKED!

LOCKED!

Lots of Game Mechanics

47 concepts as listed by Scvngr

Appointment DynamicAchievement

Blissful ProductivityCommunal Discovery

Countdown

Disincentives

Avoidance Behavioral Contrast

Behavioral Momentum

Cascading Information Theory Chain Scheduling

Companion GamingContingency

Cross Situational Leaderboards

Endless Games

Envy

Epic Meaning

Extinction

Fixed Interval Reward Schedules

Fixed Ratio Reward Schedule

Free Lunch

Fun Once, Fun Always

Interval Reward Schedules

Lottery

Loyalty

Meta GameMicro Leader-boards

Modifiers

Moral Hazard of Game Play

Ownership

Pride

PrivacyProgression Dynamic

Ratio Reward Schedules

Real-time v. Delayed MechanicsReinforcer

ResponseReward Schedules

Rolling Physical Goods

Shell Game Social Fabric of Games

Status

Urgent Optimism

Variable Interval Reward Schedules

Variable Ratio Reward Schedule

Viral Game Mechanics

Virtual Items

Collecting

Points

Feedback / Reinforcer

Exchanges / Social Fabric

Customization / Ownership

Level Selection Screen

IntroTEST

Main Game MechanicsTEST

ACHIEVEMENT!

The Process

FINAL QUESTION: Who wins the Smashing Book?

LOCKED!

ACHIEVEMENT!

Resources

Discussion: Making IxDA a game LOCKED!

LOCKED!

FUNWAREEven if they say they are a game…

• Foursquare helps you discover your city and socialize with friends

• Game mechanics are just here to make the whole process more fun and kick start behavior

Level Selection Screen

IntroTEST

Main Game MechanicsTEST

ACHIEVEMENT!

The Process

FINAL QUESTION: Who wins the Smashing Book?

Resources

Discussion: Making IxDA a game LOCKED!

LOCKED!

UNLOCKED!

ACHIEVEMENT!

Step 1: Objectives / Vision

• IxDA Hong Kong

– Create an active community of Interaction Designers in Hong Kong

– Promote free sharing and exchange of information

– Provide support for job seekers

– Promote the discipline in the local community

Applied from Mashable - HOW TO: Use Game Mechanics to Power Your Business

Step 2: Desired Behaviors

Behaviors

• Come to events• Regularly share information and

experiences• Regularly interact with other members

online• Refer new members to the association• Post job openings thru the mailing list• Etc.

Step 3: Game Mechanics

Motivators

• Lucky draw at events• Nominate the best contribution from a

member during the last month• Referral free drink / badge• Quest to find location of next event• Collectible stickers• Special status of member referred a

friend, presented, shared 10 posts and attended 5 meet-ups

Step 3: Game Mechanics

Appropriate Motivators for your community style

Step 3: Game Mechanics

• Appropriate ambition

– Applying game mechanics does not require creating a game – it’s just about having fun

– Most applications or funware aimed at being a never-ending game. Designing such a game is very difficult

Level Selection Screen

IntroTEST

Main Game MechanicsTEST

ACHIEVEMENT!

The Process

FINAL QUESTION: Who wins the Smashing Book?

Resources

Discussion: Making IxDA a game LOCKED!

LOCKED!

ACHIEVEMENT!

ACHIEVEMENT!

47

Level Selection Screen

IntroTEST

Main Game MechanicsTEST

ACHIEVEMENT!

The Process

FINAL QUESTION: Who wins the Smashing Book?

Resources

Discussion: Making IxDA a game

ACHIEVEMENT!

ACHIEVEMENT!

UNLOCKED!

UNLOCKED!

Articles & Slides

• Techcrunch: SCVNGR game mechanics playdeck– http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/25/scvngr-game-mechanics/

• Mashable How to use game mechanics to power your business– http://mashable.com/2010/07/13/game-mechanics-business/

• Just add points? What UX can (and cannot) learn from games– http://www.slideshare.net/dings/just-add-points-what-ux-can-

and-cannot-learn-from-games

– http://www.bigdoor.com/resources/helpful-tools-and-links/– http://www.slideshare.net/chrismcclelland/engagement-

through-gamification

Books & Talks

• Books:– Building Web Reputation Systems by Randy Farmer (Yahoo)

– The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses by Jesse Schell (Carnegie Mellon, Disney)

• Talks:– Building Reputation Systems by Randy Farmer:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn7e0J9m6rE (Google Tech Talk)

– Putting the fun in functional by Amy Jo Kim (ShuffleBrain)• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihUt-163gZI

– Jane McGonigal: Gaming can make a better world• http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.ht

ml

• http://www.urgentevoke.com/