Putting the Fun in Functional II Power to the Players Amy Jo Kim, Ph.D. CEO, ShuffleBrain Inc.

ShuffleBrain Smart games for social networks (details soon to come…)

First, some terminology…

What is Social Media?

player-created content

player-created content + social infrastructure

player-created content + social infrastructure + sharing tools

What is a Game?

Formal Definition a system in which players engage in an artificial conflict , defined by rules , that results in a quantifiable outcome * *from Rules of Play by Eric Zimmerman and Katie Salen

Informal Definition a structured experience with rules and goals that’s fun

Games tap into our primal response patterns

Games engage us in flow

What are Game Mechanics? the systems and features that make games fun , compelling and addictive

Game Mechanics for Social Media Collecting

Collecting

Show me your stuff!

Game Mechanics for Social Media Collecting Points

Collecting

Points

Social Points are given by other players

Game Mechanics for Social Media Collecting Points Feedback

Collecting

Points

Feedback

Feedback accelerates mastery and adds fun

Game Mechanics for Social Media Collecting Points Feedback Exchanges

Collecting

Points

Feedback

Exchanges

Exchanges are structured social interactions basic, primal form of social engagement

Implicit vs Explicit Exchanges comments are implicit “ Add Friend” is explicit

Game Mechanics for Social Media Collecting Points Feedback Exchanges Customization

Collecting

Points

Feedback

Exchanges

Customization

Character Customization

Interface Customization

Game Mechanics + Social Media = the future of networked entertainment???

Power to the Players key trends in networked entertainment

Key Trends in Networked Entertainment Social Game Mechanics

Key Trends in Networked Entertainment Social Game Mechanics Accessible Tech

Key Trends in Networked Entertainment Social Game Mechanics Accessible Tech Syndication* * the supply of material for reuse and integration with other material

Case Study: YouTube

Game Mechanics: Collecting

Game Mechanics: Points

Game Mechanics: Feedback

Game Mechanics: Exchanges video response to a posted video video response to a video response

Game Mechanics: Customization

Accessible Tech easy to upload videos using a variety of formats and devices

Syndication

Case Study: Twitter

Game Mechanics: Collecting

Game Mechanics: Points Differentiate between friends and followers

Game Mechanics: Exchanges

Accessible Tech Can send and receive messages via SMS, IM, or website

Syndication

Case Study: FaceBook

Game Mechanics: Collecting

Game Mechanics: Points

Game Mechanics: Exchanges

Game Mechanics: Exchanges

Game Mechanics: Customization

Accessible Tech

Internal Syndication* * the supply of material for reuse and integration with other material

if game mechanics + social media = the future of networked entertainment…

if game mechanics + social media = the future of networked entertainment… …how can we prepare?

How to Prepare for the Future Use game mechanics as appropriate Start small: co-evolve your game in partnership with your players Build content-sharing networks Make it easy for players to create, share, rate and discuss content Leverage standard data formats Build around widely accessible formats - XML, SMS, voting, etc. Design cross-platform services Meet your players where they are; put your data ON THE NETWORK Prepare for syndication enable Widgets; open your API; encourage third-party clients

Thank You! [email_address] Amyjokim on Twitter ShuffleBrain on FaceBook