So then, it is finally available. Even Ninja Monkeys Like to Play is out in paperback and ebook formats from Amazon.
Amazon.com have it in stock now.
How to get Gamification wrong
There are many, many ways to get gamification wrong, but there is one that really sticks out head and shoulders above the rest.
The best way to get Gamification wrong is to ask the question “What game mechanics should we include?” before any other questions. Questions like: what is the purpose of this? What is the content? Why are we gamifying? What are we gamifying? Who are we doing it for?
There is nothing wrong with having a list of mechanics that you would like, but it should not be your fist consideration when you are looking at gamification!
What Pure Joy Looks Like
Anyone who has read my blog will know that my daughters are an inspiration to me on a regular basis. All of me research into play was initiated by watching them as was my little adventure into fun.
Today I wanted to share with you an important lesson – what pure joy actually looks like.
The girls in a hurricane simulator at the London aquarium !
Posted by Andrzej Marczewski on Monday, 28 September 2015
This video was taken of my daughters at the London Aquarium in a hurricane Simulator. For £2, you lock the kids in for about 30 seconds and it simulates winds of around 80mph. Why? Because it is fun! It serves no purpose, there is no higher meaning, it is just (for some) an enjoyable experience.
It is good to be reminded that not everything needs to have a purpose to be important. That simple £2 investment gave my children an experience that cheered them up after a lot of walking and that created smiles and memories that are priceless.
Value to the User vs Value to You
Here is a little excerpt for the book for you, you know that book that I am still editing but hope to have published in the next 2 weeks…!
Whist basing the value of the reward on a user’s personal investment is important, it is also important not to lose sight of why you were gamifying the system in the first place.
Normally it is because there are certain actions or activities that you want to encourage the user to perform and complete. That being the case, you have to sometimes consider how valuable the action is to you, not just how much effort it is for the user.
What would you change?
I was asked a great question the other day. If you could go way back, what would you change?
It got me thinking at the time and I have had it in my mind ever since. At the time I said that I would probably change nothing. The truth is that what I have experienced in my life is what has made me who I am. For the most part, I am pretty happy with how it all turned out!
That is a wishwashy answer though. I then started to think about what I would changed if I was being forced and I did think of something. My A-Levels (the exams you sit at 18). I took Chemistry, Physics and Biology and I was dreadful at them all. I would go back and try to take Computing, Ceramics and Physics if I had the chance again!