Of the four groups named in the Bartle Test, the Socializers’ role is key to driving reform

Thursday, 29 September 2011 / Published in Insights
The Bartle Test of Gamer Psychology, based on a 1996 paper by British writer and game researcher Richard Bartle, was a topic I must admit not having been all that familiar with prior to attending the Gamification Summit in New York City.   But once having learned a little about it, I am struck by its

‘Fun and fame’ may well offer the key to using our brains for positive change

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 / Published in Insights
The idea of “fun and fame” needs to be incorporated into everything we do — not just occasionally, but on an everyday basis. Why? Because we want to feel good about what we are doing, and we as humans are biologically wired for this positive feeling.  When we feel good about something, our brains produce

Behavioral science-based high-tech games poised to dominate the future of marketing

Tuesday, 20 September 2011 / Published in Insights
Now that I’ve had a few days to digest all the insights I picked up from the Gamification Summit, I can say that the one underlying “ah ha moment” was when I realized how this group is using science to redefine marketing. This is a big deal. Gamification is really the science of behavior patterns,

New generation of games can motivate with fun and fame, not guilt and shame

Sunday, 18 September 2011 / Published in Insights
While I’m accustomed to speaking before large groups, I must admit to being a bit more nervous than usual as it came time for me to give a little talk as a panel member at the Gamification Summit.  But I guess that was only natural, since most of the people in the audience were about