Gamification

Was Gamification Bullshit Afterall?

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Snake oil Was Gamification Bullshit Afterall

For over a decade, “gamification” has been the prevailing buzzword, promising to infuse a dash of gaming enchantment into our mundane tasks. But was it merely a façade, as game designer Ian Bogost vehemently argued back in 2011? Let’s delve into the gamified world and discern whether it’s a genuine game-changer or simply another marketing gimmick.

The Critique That Ignited the Debate

In the past, Ian Bogost unabashedly declared, “Gamification is Bullshit.” He accused it of being a slick marketing ploy concocted by consultants to transform corporate life into a mere video game simulation. According to him, it’s a form of smoke and mirrors, impressing and coercing without any substantive foundation. Bogost also took a swipe at gamification for oversimplifying the potent elements that make games truly impactful. Read More ...

The Ludic Spirit Players

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I appreciate a well-structured typology, but only if I find it useful. So, it was a bit of a battle to justify yet another one to myself. But I managed, and so I present the Ludic Spirit Players!

Based largely on observation of my own kids over the last 16 years, as well as other work in the field of play by those such as Bernard Suits and Bob Hughes, these “types” are specific to the way I am forming this Ludic Spirit stuff and Play – not Games or Gamification, so it is not an all-encompassing list of play types or types of player! Read More ...

The Ludic Spirit RAMP – Connecting Intrinsic Motivation to Playful Mindsets

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I want to keep this Ludic Spirit idea going as it is now shaping how I view pretty much everything in a way that gamification never really did. It is a much simpler way to improve the world around me that does not rely on the sorts of reward frameworks that gamification often needs you to design.

Obviously, I am still using RAMP (Relatedness, Autonomy, Mastery & Purpose) to help me break down how I am applying Ludic Spirit-related elements and concepts. However, for now, I am focusing on me, the person, not me the product designer – sometimes you have to shift focus back to you! Read More ...

Expert’s Warning: Master AI, Data, and Gamification or Risk Going Out of Business in 5 Years!

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Made you look, made you stare, made you mess your underwear!

We have all seen the headlines like “Expert says if you don’t know AI, you won’t be in business next week”. But the truth is, that’s bollocks.

Now, you may not be in as great a shape as those in a similar line of work that do understand AI, but you won’t be out of business if you remember this one simple rule. People make a business.

The truth is that most people don’t even understand what any of this stuff is. AI isn’t AI for the most part, it is just clever algorithms (even ChatGTP agrees with me there – see the end of this post). Very few people really understand data and big data, they just think it is Google Analytics. Even fewer seem to understand Gamification still, relying on parlour tricks rather than good game and behaviour-based design. Read More ...

The Ludic Spirit

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Ludic Spirit is a fancy term for being playful in our approach to life and the world around us. It’s something I want to explore more over the coming months as an alternative world view to gamification.

When we embrace the Ludic Spirit, we are embracing playfulness and a carefree attitude.

We are listening to that inner voice that encourages us to approach daily activities, interactions, and challenges with a light-hearted and creative attitude. It helps us to find joy in the simplest of things, whether it’s indulging in games, relishing spontaneous adventures, or just letting our imaginations run wild. This playfulness fosters a positive outlook, strengthens social bonds, and reminds us to savor life’s little pleasures. Read More ...

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