the anatomy of a game mechanic
DESCRIPTION
Gamification, Gamify, Game Mechanics... all of these terms get tossed around daily and are becoming more and more prevalent when talking about websites.How are leading sites using Game Mechanics to create exciting experiences and what can we learn from the gaming world?TRANSCRIPT
If you’re tweeting:
Tag it with:
#gamifycgFollow me: @flashmen
What is a game mechanic?
Have you ever been ‘gamed?’
Here is a task.
Complete it (at some risk to yourself).
Earn MEANINGFUL rewards.
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
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Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
! Risk:If you don’t complete the action, this could happen.
Reward:Here’s what you get when you complete it!
Task:Do this action a number of times.!
(with pretty graphics)
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:
!
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey!
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:!
Challenging Death:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3gFIDiBq0E
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!Risk:
Spend Eternity in Hell
Reward:
Return to the world of the Living. Excellent!
Task:
Beat Death at a game!
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey!
Challenging Death:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3gFIDiBq0E
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:
!
Hunch
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:
!
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:!
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!
Risk:
Connect Facebook? (scary!)Don’t have a... taste profile?
Reward:
Build a taste profile?
Task:
Answer 20 Questions!
Hunch
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:
!
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:
!
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:!
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!
Risk:
Don’t appear in search?
Reward:
Be 40x More Visible
Task:
Complete Your Profile!
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:
!
Groupon
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:
!
!Risk:
Reward:
Task:!
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!Risk:
Expires in 24 hours100 people must Buy
Reward:
Save 40-50%
Task:
Buy a Daily Deal!
Groupon
What do Games do differently?
Games always offer and identify next actions
Cityville
Games always offer and identify next actions
Angry Birds
Super Mario Bros’ level 1 jump
Games increase difficulty
Games increase difficulty
Super Mario Bros’ level 8 jump
Games increase character power
level 1 warrior
Games increase character power
level 85 warrior
More Difficulty + More Power =
More ‘Epic Wins’
Source: Jane McGonigal’s ted talk
The Perfect Game
Diffi
cult
y
Character Power
“They are the star of the game... Keeping them
feeling good about themselves is important.”
Source: Sid Meier, Designer of Civilization
Brad DickasonProduct Manager
Follow Me: @flashmen
E-mail: [email protected]
I occasionally tweet about User Experience and Game Mechanics(and Disco Music!)
Anatomy of a Game Mechanic
!Risk:
Activity feed clutter
Reward:
Receive awesome nuggets of info!
Task:
Follow Brad on Twitter!
Follow: @flashmen
Or, you can e-mail me: [email protected]
(and Disco Music!)