Gaming (for) Happiness -- Mike Carpenter

1. Gaming (for)
Happiness
Mike Carpenter
@carpemike

3. Nintendo + Mike = 
+10 XP
“Backstory”
Unlocked!

4. Stats! They convince you!Stats! They convince you!
59% of Americans play video games
Average age of players: 30
62% of all gamers are adults
47% are female (up from 42% in 2012) and are
usually over 18
+30 XP Achievement: “Data Miner”!

5. Who’s guilty?

6. +10 XP
“Amusing
Theory”
Unlocked!

7. Epic ExperiencesEpic Experiences
Music! Cinematics! Flashing lights!
Carrot and Stick mechanics
(o ne . m o re . . le ve l… )
The epic struggle of GOOD vs EVIL
(and yo u can be e ithe r!!!)

8. “ ‘Cause it’s all about control.”
- Janet Jackson

9. Game designers are smart. They
engineer games to be:
•FUN!!!! (“Um. Where did my day go?”)
•Addictive (Trivia Crack anyone?)
•Challenging (but not crazy hard)
•Rewarding (“You are awesome!”)
+45 XP Achievement: “Listmaster”!

10. “I just play on the train, I swear!”

13. +30 XP Achievement: “Vetted”

14. Treasure chests are
the best rewards.

16. +45 XP Achievement: “Soooo Meta”

17. OK, that’s
great, Mike.
How does this apply
to me?
+10 XP
“There’s
A Point?”
Unlocked!

18. Games make people’s lives better. (Really!)

19. If only life were this easy…
+30 XP Achievement: “That’s Peachy!”

20. Thanks! And happy gaming! 
+500 XP
Level Up!
“Ignite”Power
Unlocked!