What do you think about it? This new concept started back in 2001 but only in 2010 it grew in popularity. Apparently some institutions are already using it successfully to improve general health of employees or customers, creativity and general well-being, efficiency and teamwork in the workplace, etc. Could you approach life this way? I for one think it is a great idea :) Discuss :) https://www.coursera.org/course/gamification http://gamification.org/
Ha, a very popular opinion is: http://www.bogost.com/blog/gamification_is_bullshit.shtml (I tend to agree)
It works wonders on Stack Overflow. Freelancer.com also has gamification. So does Nokia with their developer challenge. It appeals to some people, who might be inclined to do repetitive boring stuff over and over just for the sake of showing of a virtual badge or achievement. It will at the same time alienate others, who are in for different goals. Heck, on Calypso, people somehow get suckered into killing 10k of the same mob for some reason. The end reward almost never will compensate for the time and money spent, but here we are, click-click-clicking away., I'm just as guilty on that as the next person, by the way. In short, gamification will appeal to some people. I see no harm in catering to those. Those turned off by it won't (and won't have to be) bother. But underestimating the willingness of some people to show off their e-peen would certainly be a mistake.
I think gamification is a good idea but is no longer uncharted territory. In SL for instance you see many digital representations of big name businesses who no doubt encourage their employees to actively take part.
