Sebastian Deterding pursues a PhD on the motivational psychology of ‘gamified’ applications at the Hans Bredow Institute for Media Research in Hamburg. Read abstract & bio…
Abstract:
9.5 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Gamification
“Gamification” is: hot, hyped, oversold, misunderstood, unavoidable, a buzzword, a question mark, an quick fix, a huge unfulfilled potential. In the past year, the notion of infusing digital products and services with game elements to make them more engaging has been stirring up the digital industries. Multiple vendors have sprung up that sell gamification as a software service, and ‘gamification gurus’ are beginning to litter the online airwaves like ‘social media experts’ in years before. Are points and badges mere indulgences for the faithful flock looking for redemption in loyalty programs? Or is there something deeper underneath, something worth salvaging?
In nine (and a half) theses, this talk will walk you through the precursors and parallels of gameful design, question trends and definitions, point to open questions and venues, and answer the question: What are we as interaction designers and researchers to make of this?
Additional Information & Resources:
Sebastian Deterding is a designer and researcher working on user experience, persuasive and gameful design, video games and the governance of new media. He is broadly interested in how code shapes conduct – and how to put that knowledge into practice. He publishes and speaks internationally on gameful design, persuasive technology, and the social contexts of games at venues such as CHI, DiGRA, Google, Gamescom, reboot, or Web Directions. His work has been covered by The Guardian, the LA Times, The New Scientist, and EDGE Magazine among others.
When not designing, Sebastian is a PhD researcher in Communication at the Research Center for Media and Communication, Hamburg University. His thesis looks into the use of game design elements to motivate behaviour in non-game contexts. He is also an affiliated researcher at the Hans Bredow Institute for Media Research in Hamburg, and works as an independent user experience designer.
He lives online at codingconduct.cc.
Below is a video of his talk “Getting Gamification Right”
