Game Mechanics and Social Media
games, social media | No Comments »
An interesting presentation on using game mechanics to create applications and services that are fun, compelling, and addictive in the context of social media. Below are some interesting highlights:
Games shape our behavior by:
- Leveraging our primal response patterns.
- Engaging us in flow.
Game mechanics (the building blocks):
Collecting
Collecting allows you to show your stuff, give you bragging rights, and help you complete sets.
Points
Points drive loyalty (frequent flyer points, etc.). An example of points are rating systems: social points given by other “players”. Points create levels. Levels in turn punctuate the experience.
Feedback
Feedback draws attention through movement and change, makes your game more fun and compelling, and induces flow.
Exchanges
Exchanges are a basic, primal form of social engagement.
Customization
Customization increases investment and is overall fun and engaging.
The slideshow also explains how MySpace is like a game, shows how to make serious games more fun, and gives insight on what to expect in the future of social gaming.
What do you think?