Gamification? …what?…

Gamification does not mean computer games. It’s much more!

These last years a lot of new words enters our vocabulary and many times we use them without really knowing what’s their meaning.

On the other hand, some people tend to appropriate those words and attribute them a certain meaning, which others may disagree.

Gamification is one of these words. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary it means “the process of adding games or game-like elements to something (as a task) so as to encourage participation”. I entirely agree!

The fact is that most people talking (or teaching) gamification refer to it almost exclusively related to computer games, whether they are just for easy fun or, eventually, for serious fun.

I love gamification and am not a particular fan of computer games (maybe because I am in front of my computer many hours a day since 1980!).

My idea of gamification – and it’s how I apply it with my clients – is the process of adding games or game-like elements to business processes or tasks, in order to increase motivation, encourage participation and change behaviors, by creating positive habits and attitudes.

Let’s play?

Daniel Lança Perdigão, Visual Improvement Agent, UpSideUp.pt