Games

We all play games, sometimes without even knowing that we are taking part in some game. Games are an expression of the human spirit which utilises the creation of an activity that is entertaining, flexible, instructive, inspiring and is competitive in nature. Games test skills, effort and invites one to develop ways of managing obstacles that could hamper progress.  Some games are structured and have defined rules like cricket, hockey etc and some are more flexible like those that one would have played as a child; the rules changed with the time of day. (Calvinball as articulated by Watterson in his brilliant Clavin and Hobbs strip is a great example of flexibility in a game). Gamification has become a buzzword in the last decade or more and it works  because it triggers real, powerful emotions. Excitement , intrigue, happiness, disappointment and a lot more. 

What then is gamification? It is essentially the implementation of game design to the real-world. It applies the core emotional response of a game to non gaming contexts. The idea being that it will foster motivation and performance in regards to a given activity. Games are deterministic, a result is given. Utilising the emotional journey of a game in non gaming situations is what gamification tries to accomplish. The utilisation of badges, leaderboard , performance graphs are just that. The gamification of a task that is normally considered mundane into something that has some meaning and could be used as an expression of competition.  Social media is great at utilising gamification; the number of likes, the followers, etc … the dopamine hit one gets because a post has x number of likes is unique and unmatched. In a world that is looking for instant gratification, gamification has helped proliferate this concept.  

However if one was to step away from the instant gratification afforded by social media and look at gamification as a tool that could enhance one’s life, the there is a lot to be learned. Gamification of everyday life would help create discipline, confidence, strength, competitiveness, energy and much more. Essentially you are in a game where you compete with yourself and with every little improvement you win. 

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.:, he should have added - they play a game which if they understand it matters not where on the roster they stand for they all win. 

C