Slashdot pointed me to an interesting article, Play to win: The game-based economy (CNNMoney.com, JP Mangalindan, Sept. 3, 2010) which is about how companies are using game mechanics to generate business.
Chalk it up to basic human behavior, which game makers have been trying to understand and appeal to for decades. The more effective a game resonates with users, the better its sales. The developer’s goal is to design a structure and system of rules in which players will a) enjoy the process or journey, and b) create a sense of added value. As gamers and developers have found, a fun process coupled with a system for incentives or rewards for a job well done can become downright addictive.
So it’s no surprise to some gamers — including yours truly — that the very same game-play mechanics that hook players are slowly wending their way into other parts of the economy, too.
The article lists some interesting examples like Mint.com which turns personal finance into a game or the Nike+ site and technology.