I took a rethink about the purpose of gamification and thought could find a clue for my question. The article “the purpose of gamification" by Gabe point out “What games do well is expose complex, learnable systems that users can engage with to achieve personal mastery — and thus accomplish something aspirational.” This looks logically correct. Yes, to achieve something difficult, gamify it is a smart way to wipe out boring. On the other hand, does it mean gamification is only suit for those systems with serious and tough task?
Quite doubt that.
My opinion is there ways to gamify a non-game system:
1. (As Gabe’s idea) use gamification to easier to achieve a goal.
Examples such as foodzy for people who want keep fit or lose weight. (losing weight is a tough task for someone.)
2. Game mechanics used there should sensible. What’s the point to earn points, badges, level? Who cares? But if earning points, badges, level can prove who you are (show the unique, not everyone can be like you)
The UX stackexchange can be a good example, someone earning a high level, lots badges can give a impression of knowledgeable and experience.
3. (Compare to the first one, not suggest using in this way), More focus on creating a wonderful experience. And I think this can go without the game mechanics though some use game mechanics as an excuse to do other things. they can absolutely run without the game mechanics. This is so bad way and misunderstand of gamification as lots apps keep on doing nowadays.
Examples as foursquare, it more used as tracking friend. How many of you care about win a discount after check-in unpredictable place. Fortunately, it has a good experience design in the system (some are more like the experience of exploring the city).
Twitter, game mechanics (collecting, level) there almost non-sense. It gives you good experience to use twitter but doesn’t show you the benefit when you have a million fans.
(PS. The experience design surely is a important part for the 1 & 2)
