Gamification in 2013

Welcome back to this beautiful blog after a long hiatus we are back with more compelling reads on Gamification in 2013.

I have chosen to start the year by talking about “gamification” which I feel well play a big and important role in the innovation of technology this year. Particularly when talking about Apps, Social Media and Social Marketing.

Firms like LinkedIn have introduced some elements of gamification into their product to encourage and simplify some for its functions.

Gamification has been defined as the use of game elements and game design techniques in non-game contexts – (Kevin Werback University of Pennsylvania) Gamification typically involves applying game design thinking to non-game applications to make them more fun and engaging (Bunchball, http://www.bunchball.com/blog)

Gamification is being used by the likes of Banks, Call centres, and even your local council to help in areas such as recycling, and healthcare.

With evermore non- gaming organisations like banks, retailers, and software design firms increasingly using gamification strategies in their Social Marketing campaign it only follows that 2013 will bring more innovation in this area of technology.

4Square who is harnessing this technology of behalf of merchants it represents is bound to be a game changer this year. Google, Facebook and Microsoft – with the introduction of Windows 8 to the market- for me will be the big innovators.