Gamification: What is It?
The COVID19 pandemic has brought in mass lockdown protocols across the world, and it has separated our physical meetings with friends and replaced them with virtual ones using Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime, and other video sharing apps. Through the test of time, friendships, academics, and work have been put to a test: but what is one thing that remained strong throughout this period? Gamification has brought spice, flair, and a little bit of happiness between people who are apart.
Gamification is simply the addition of game elements to non-game elements such as marketing, websites, education, work, and more. You might not know it, but you probably have engaged in a gamified activity at least once in your whole life, or probably even hosted one yourself! You just didn’t know it was gamification back then.
Remember that time when your employer held an icebreaker on the first day of work through a silly “two truths one lie” game to introduce yourself to others? Or do you remember that time when your primary school teacher made you all play a quiz bee in class? Do you also remember the time when you played all those math games online when you were a wee lad, or playing those puzzle toys? All of those methods partake of a gamified experience!
Gamification is almost everywhere nowadays since the media is what we consume in our homes during the lockdown period. For instance, the Headspace app gamified the meditation practices for those looking to practice their mindfulness. In this app, the meditation levels are separated into different phases that help one practice deeper and deeper focus, kind of like levelling up in a game.
Another example of gamification is on Reddit, which became one of the top-visited sites in 2020. With the introduction of some amazing and sparkling awards, prizes, and coins, the website was able to incentivize the karma level of posts, adding a few achievement medals in the process. This system of gamification prompted users to post relevant topics, answer politely, and create the best gags, all for that one award they are yearning to get.
As we browse through our social media, we also see AdverGames which incorporate brands into the games playable on our mobile phone. Remember when they asked you to watch an ad in a mobile app for you to earn the much-needed coins to solve that one puzzle? Yes, that’s a gamified marketing strategy.
In actuality, there are a lot of gamification influencers who constantly bring gamification practices in new and exciting ways. Yu-Kai Chou made gamification known through a TED Talk in 2014 where he heeded a call to gamify our lives and add colour to an otherwise stale waking life. Also, Dr. Zac Fit-Walter introduces gamification in lectures across university students to help them cope with their studying practices, and it has never been the same for them.
As one can see, gamification amps up engagement between people, and trust me when I say that when you gamify your hobbies, meetings, and interactions, you would get a smile across all of your faces before you even realize it. In this age of lockdown, here’s how you can gamify simple things.
Gamify your Work
If you wish to introduce productivity to your workplace, organise gamification of your mornings: to start your day, engage in a laugh-a-tonne contest where everyone in your team tells the best joke in under two minutes, and the one with the best joke gets kudos. Through this, you introduce a couple of roasts, a couple of smiles, and surely a couple of laughs. Whatever app you use to communicate, this joke session is sure to brighten up your day. Just remember to keep the jokes from being offensive so as not to kill the mood.
Gamify your Meetings
If you wish to have a virtual night out with friends using any video calling app, surprise them with a game of “Who’s most likely to?” and write at least 9 statements: who’s most likely to dance out of the blue? Who’s most likely to eat glue and not tell anyone about it? And have each participant hold out their answer on the count of three and show it to the camera. Then, have some participants explain their answers to lots of gags and laughs. I promise it’s more exciting than it sounds. And, it might even bring up old memories you had with friends pre-pandemic.
Gamify Your Classes
If you’re a teacher or college professor looking to grab your student’s attention, then it’s time to use Kahoot! It’s a free quiz making app where you can have every student participate in answering the quiz in real-time by typing the answers on their phone. It’s really easy to use and is sure to make your classes feel more exciting for the learners.
Gamify your Studying
Studying has been hard during these times, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Pick your favourite snack from the local Morrisons or Lidl: a Hobnobs, some Hula Hoops, or Maltesers, any snack you used to love as a kid. Then, open the bag and line your snacks up in a straight line over a plate, and reward yourself with a treat every time you finish two paragraphs, or finish a whole chapter. Fight and resist eating them all at once, and work on incentivizing yourself when you eagerly finish your goal. This way, you reward your studying. You can even reward yourself when you understand everything with your favourite meal at the end of the day. Just make sure to brush those cavities off of your teeth after each session! (And practice moderation).
Gamify your Day
Add back that little bit of fun and achievement into your day.
Did you sleep for 7 hours? One point.
Have you been for a walk or run? One point.
Have you to made a healthy lunch? One point.
Have you spoken to someone? One point.
Did you achieve one of the things you wanted to? One point.
Get 5 points and reward yourself with something. Your favourite TV show, 30 minutes of listening to music at full blast. You’ll be surprised as to the difference it makes.
In this age of left-and-right lockdowns, everyone seems to reach for new ways to connect, and gamification would add that spark you need to cherish every moment. Your work and meetings will never be the same with gamification, and it’s easy to try it for yourself. And, as I finish telling you what gamification is all about, I’m going to reward myself with my favourite Cadbury Digestives for a job well done!