What’s in a Name?Serious Games

vs.Gamification

Serious Play ConferenceAugust 20, 2013

Sande ChenSande@ALUM.MIT.edu

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

EDGY

Gamification

fFUN

SERIOUS

Serious Games

BORING

EDUCATIONAL

A serious game is a game in which education (in its various forms) is the primary goal, rather than entertainment.

From Serious Games: Games That Educate, Train and Inform

by David Michael and Sande Chen

What is a Serious Game?

The application of gaming technology, process, and design to the solution of problems faced by businesses and other organizations (traditionally non-game markets)

Daniel Cook, www.lostgarden.com

What is a Serious Game?

The process of game-thinking and game mechanics to engage users and solve problems (in non-game contexts)

From Gamification by Designby Gabe Zichermann and Christopher Cunningham

What is Gamification?

noun the application of typical elements of game playing (e.g., point scoring, competition with others, rules of play) to other areas of activity, typically as an online marketing technique to encourage engagement with a product or service:

http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/gamification

What is Gamification?

What are “Game Elements”?

i.e. Points, Badges, Leaderboards

• Visited site 10• Left Comment 30• Shared Page 20• Etc

REWARDS * STATUS * ACCESS

TO FURTHER BUSINESS OBJECTIVES

SELF IDENTIFICATION WITH AVATARS YIELDS HEALTH BENEFITS

HEALTH QUEST

GAMIFICATION FOR HEALTH?

Virtual World Simulator

Virtual Environments

Gamified Quests

• The player is asked about fitness goals in order to develop a proper training schedule.

• Player given a choice of physical activities that would fulfill the weekly “quest.” Virtual “quest” would illustrate how to complete quest properly.

• Players check in or send confirmation of activities.

Fitness Quests

Variety of quests to meet specific health needs and combat boredom.

Variety of Verifiable Input Devices

AUGMENTED REALITY OVERLAY

User Pages, Badges, & Leaderboards

to track participant progress

• Players input spent calories to charge up the Orbs that defend the community against the ever-encroaching Shadow.

• Players learn valuable stress reduction skills from the Guardians of the Light.

• Players can view a comparative progress report based on individual health or community health.

Wither Mechanic

• Blood Pressure

• Weight

• Aerobic Activity

• Virtual Aerobic Activity

• Meditative Practices Training

• Etc

Assigned Point Values in Redeemable Currency Usable in Virtual World

Measurements

• Daily Measurements are Broccolio Are Rewards enough Incentive?o “Glorified Pedometer”

• Trainers could be Broccolio Are Rewards enough Incentive?

• Not much of a gameo Is it actually Fun?o Requires Community and Social Interaction

Objections

SERIOUS GAME

MAKEOVER

An Augmented Reality Game to promote physical and mental well-being

GLOW : An Immersive Experience

A Cohesive World

COHESION

IMMERSION

MEANING

Lumeria

• Players collect virtual supplies, uncover clues, and participate in an epic race to recharge an ailing society decimated by an insidious virus.

• Players can engage in meditative mini-games, practice yoga, and converse with non-playing characters (NPCs).

• Players can view a comparative progress report based on individual health or community health.

Adventure Thriller

• Players input spent calories to charge up the Orbs that defend the community against the ever-encroaching Shadow.

• Players learn valuable stress reduction skills from the Guardians of the Light.

• Players can view a comparative progress report based on individual health or community health.

Wither Mechanic (Gamification)

Lumeria is the last refuge of humankind. As an inexplicable virus ravages the populace, the remnants of the digerati download their minds into avatars that live in this vast virtual world. Most Lumerians exist only in digital form, but a few have bodies on stasis.

GLOW Story Concept

Life for you, though, is about to change.

Lately, the virus has found its way into the digital networks, threatening life in Lumeria.

As one of few with available bodies, you are selected for a special mission and sent via side-stepping technology to a parallel world with no taint of the deadly virus.

GLOW Story Concept Cont’d

YOUR GOAL

It is there where you hope to put together a cure to stop the virus while at the same time, unravel the mystery behind the virus’ beginnings.

GLOW Story Concept Cont’d

Since the virus can be spread to Lumeria, it is imperative that you check your vitals and go through a health check before each re-

entry to Lumeria. And of course, you wouldn’t want to lose that body of yours…

Measurements

• Give players a gameplay reason to learn while entertaining

• Players learn through the process of playing the game.

“Stealth Learning”

Serious Games are

about Game Systems

Gamification is about

Game Elements

In conclusion

Sande Chen

@sandechen

Sande@ALUM.MIT.edu

http://www.gamedesignaspect.blogspot.com