The theory of gamification holds that people – consumers, coworkers, or students – respond naturally and efficiently to competition, reward, and the type of simulated risk that have made video games such a cultural phenomenon since the 1980’s (Dewey, 2013). Elements of videogame mechanics have been implemented in companies across the country for marketing, training, education and wellness programs. However, gamification’s potential is extremely high. In 2011 researchers at the University of Washington created a game called ‘Fold it’ (Anderson, 2012). The game called upon citizens from across the world to try and figure out the mystery of a how a key protein folds. The way the protein folded was an important step for scientists who were in search of a cure for the HIV virus. The game drew 46,000 participants; and the mystery that had eluded scientists for over fifteen years was solved in ten days. If gamification is used responsibly and correctly, it can become an effective tool that could solve serious problems through
The theory of gamification holds that people – consumers, coworkers, or students – respond naturally and efficiently to competition, reward, and the type of simulated risk that have made video games such a cultural phenomenon since the 1980’s (Dewey, 2013). Elements of videogame mechanics have been implemented in companies across the country for marketing, training, education and wellness programs. However, gamification’s potential is extremely high. In 2011 researchers at the University of Washington created a game called ‘Fold it’ (Anderson, 2012). The game called upon citizens from across the world to try and figure out the mystery of a how a key protein folds. The way the protein folded was an important step for scientists who were in search of a cure for the HIV virus. The game drew 46,000 participants; and the mystery that had eluded scientists for over fifteen years was solved in ten days. If gamification is used responsibly and correctly, it can become an effective tool that could solve serious problems through