Putting the Fun in Functional: Applying Game Mechanics to Functional Software
June 6th, 2010 | by admin |
Google Tech Talks
January 29, 2009
ABSTRACT
In this session, we’ll review the psychology and system thinking behind game design, and learn how to use game mechanics to create an experience that’s fun, compelling, and addictive on the Web and mobile. We’ll conclude by showcasing some cutting-edge services that incorporate these ideas and show us what future of social and applications will look like.
“It’s one of my absolute favorite discussions on user engagement & how to think about app / web design & user engagement by using strategy from game mechanics.” – Dave McClure (http://500hats.typepad.com/500blogs/2008/03/putting-the-fun.html)
A lot of our services here at Google can benefit from simple ways to make them more engaging by applying lessons from game mechanics.
Amy Jo Kim’s company Shufflebrain builds smart games for social networks, starting with Facebook.
(For an example of how Facebook is using Game design to drive user engagement, see: http://www.insidefacebook.com/2008/12/07/facebook-using-game-design-to-drive-new-user-engagement/)
Speaker: Amy Jo Kim
Amy Jo Kim, CEO of Shufflebrain, is an internationally known expert in online community architecture. She has helped design social games and social architecture for such companies as Electronic Arts, Digital Chocolate, Viacom, eBay and Yahoo! Her book Community Building on the Web was published in 2000, and has been translated into 6 languages.
Duration : 0:56:21
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19 Responses to “Putting the Fun in Functional: Applying Game Mechanics to Functional Software”
By herb7000 on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
Where are the …
Where are the closed captions?
By rajatrocks on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
My company, …
My company, Bunchball, provides many of the game mechanics that Amy Jo describes as a web service that can be integrated into any site or application.
If you’re interested in more info on this topic, we tweet whenever we find interesting examples of game mechanics in the wild, just follow “bunchball”.
By iammani3 on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
@mirwox:
May be we …
@mirwox:
May be we should create a game of it
By PuerinTheHunter on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
Game mechanism …
Game mechanism types:
* collection (completing a set) of tangible things
* earning points (given by the system or other players, with redeemable prizes, leaderboards)
* feedback (so that the players becomes better)
* exchange (taking turns, social exchanges, each player giving mutual feedback, trading, making allies, going back and forth, customizing interfaces, …)
Trends:
* accessibility (UI, devices, open APIs)
* recombinant data objects (mash ups, customization)
* syndicated
By PuerinTheHunter on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
If the skills are …
If the skills are high and challenge low – boring game.
If the challenge is high and skills are low – anxiety.
When both are low and progressively higher – good flow of game.
Social Media is player-created content, in a social infrastructure which has tools for sharing.
By PuerinTheHunter on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
A game is a system …
A game is a system in which players engage in an artificial conflict, defined by rules, that resuls in a quantifiable outcome. (from “Rules of Play”)
The Sims is a structured experience with rules and goals that is fun.
Games tap into our primal response patterns (reinforcement schedule: the frequency at which rewards are giving to make the subject give a response, the best being a unpredictable schedule – variable rate/intensitity).
By drporridge on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
This was very …
This was very useful for my game mechnics assignment, thanks a bunch
+1 to social points lol
By CanYouResistAClick on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
Will you resist a …
Will you resist a click? If you’re interested in earning some money please view my profile. So far I’ve gotten over $100.00 in one week along with two Xbox 360 games. At least try it.
By conceil8 on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
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Good day to all …
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Good day to all of my fellow Christians, firstly my apology for being out of topic. I came here to remind you people that the judgment day has started already. Please depart from cursing, smoking, violent entertainment, fornication, occultism, and for watching etc. lest you be found not worthy to enter the kingdom of God in the Day of Execution. Thank you for your kind consideration.
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By mirwox on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
That blouse of hers …
That blouse of hers is just perfect for chroma keying!
By parallax7d on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
I’ve played my fair …
I’ve played my fair share, and it’s frustrating when you are tricked into wasting your time because of techniques like this. Now the only games I play are actually fun and make me feel like I’m having a good time.
By grampaj0e on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
I’m guessing you’ve …
I’m guessing you’ve never played a video game, or pretty much any game for that matter. These techniques would work on me.
By parallax7d on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
all these …
all these techniques are bs. make a good product that is useful to people.
By grampaj0e on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
It is manipulative, …
It is manipulative, but it’s certainly not BS.
By parallax7d on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
manipulative bs
manipulative bs
By Quast on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
Most of the things …
Most of the things you do are virtually social. Try to see it this way, how many times you think about talking to people about subjects and how many times u really do. Most of the social life you think you have is made up by your imagination anyway.
By oghgo on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
What she said is …
What she said is interesting. She said : You spend more time being virtually social than being really social (as in real life).
By bonastar1977 on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
really enjoyed this …
)
really enjoyed this!!
and seriously…
who the is that blonde cutie???????
By wizsaad2k on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
Thanks!
Thanks!