Ludic spirit

Living with Ludic Purpose: More Than Just a Game

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Simplicity Ludic Living with Ludic Purpose More Than Just a Game

Recently I have spoken a lot about Ludic Spirit and of course my most recent re-obsession “Perfection in Simplicity” It will come as no surprise then that these two philosophies can be linked together into one over arching philosophy.

But first, let’s just break down the key concepts from each philosophy individually.

  1. Perfection in Simplicity:
    1. True excellence often resides in stripping away unnecessary complexities and focusing on the core elements.
    1. Rather than over-engineering, we enhance this core with elements that genuinely improve it.
    1. The elegance of simplicity lies in its ability to reveal the essence without distractions.
    The Power of Simplicity in Engagement:
    1. We often fall into the trap of believing that fanciness is essential for engagement.
    1. However, consider what truly captures attention: games like Minecraft or Roblox rely on simple mechanics, not excessive embellishments.
    1. While elaborate features might attract initially, it’s the core, engaging mechanics that keep users hooked over the long term.
    The Ludic Spirit: Embracing Playfulness:
    1. The term “Ludic Spirit” embodies a playful approach to life.
    1. It encourages finding creativity and joy in the simplest of things.
    1. Breaking free from routine, it fosters stronger social bonds and a more positive outlook.
    Importance of Play in Learning and Work:
    1. Play is not just for children—it’s crucial for development at any age.
    1. It allows for experimentation and learning in a safe environment.
    1. Unfortunately, the fear of failure often stifles exploration and innovation in serious environments like work.
    1. To counter this, we can create “safe spaces”—such as development environments—where people can experiment freely without fear of consequences.

    Combining Perfection in Simplicity with Ludic Spirit

    If we combine all of this, we can create a simple philosophy for life, work, design and so much more.

    “Seek Balance Through Simplicity and Ludic Purpose”

    This philosophy encourages a way of life that finds fulfillment by combining three key elements: Read More ...

Play in a “Serious” Environment

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Take the Ludic Spirit Player Type Quiz

Play is essential for development. There is a wealth of information about this especially for childhood development.

  1. Cognitive Development: Play contributes to the cognitive well-being of children and youth. It stimulates their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength¹.
  2. Physical Development: Active play is crucial for physical development and health. It helps children build strong bones and muscles, control their body, and maintain a healthy weight¹.
  3. Social and Emotional Development: Play is an opportunity to promote the social-emotional well-being of children and youth. It allows children to interact with the world around them, helping them to build new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges².
  4. Language and Self-regulation Skills: Play with parents and peers is a singular opportunity to promote language and self-regulation skills that build executive function and a prosocial brain².

(1) The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and ….
(2) The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young ….

Serious Play

The issue is, that the word “Play” doesn’t tend to go down well in a “serious” environment – such as work.

I recently found myself feeling like I needed to justify my use of the word play when speaking with a client. I said something like “Once we have finished, you can go and play with this yourself” Read More ...

The Ludic Spirit Player Type Quiz

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So here I am again. Another player type categorisation another quiz 🙂

The Ludic Player Type Quiz

It’s a simple 10-question quiz and at the end of it you will be given one or more player types and a nice little image like this

Just as a reminder, the player types are

  • Adventurer: These individuals embody curiosity and a thirst for discovery. They find excitement in pushing boundaries and uncovering what lies beyond. Their fearless exploration enriches their lives with new experiences and perspectives.
  • Creator: Creators thrive on imagination and the act of making. Whether it’s building worlds, crafting stories, or expressing themselves through art, they find fulfillment in bringing new creations to life. Their creativity fuels the imaginations of others and inspires awe and wonder.
  • Actor: Actors breathe life into the creations of others, infusing them with personality and depth. Through role-play and imaginative storytelling, they immerse themselves in new worlds and experiences, enriching the play for themselves and those around them.
  • Learner: Learners approach play as a means of growth and self-improvement. They eagerly seek out new challenges and opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge. Every game or activity becomes a chance to learn and develop, making them constantly evolve and adapt.
  • Anarchist: Anarchists disrupt the status quo and challenge conventional norms. While their chaotic tendencies may seem unpredictable, they bring a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability to the play. Though they may sometimes upset the balance, they also inject a sense of excitement and novelty into the experience.
    • 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 ...

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