I read this post about game dynamics in “real life” (aka not a game), which started a thought chain… In a nutshell, game dynamics in social media and in IRL (in real life, whatever that really means, I live mostly online… lol) appear in:
- Rewards and points to play, such as frequent flyer programs and Las Vegas casinos/resorts
- Facebook is a game because of its immediacy and real time updating
- Multilevel & local marketing on facebook and elsewhere
- Time management & productivity tools (facebook, lifehacker, etc.)
I would add:
- Networking/building alliances (linkedin, facebook, twitter, also, IRL, etc.)
- Task oriented duties / completion of a task (I see this as different from a tangible reward, because sometimes the reward is just a completed profile or a thank you)
- Learning
- Chance and probability (I know the Google “I’m feeling lucky” is not completely random, nor is the suggested friends on facebook)
- Exploration/Creative play
..and if I think long enough, I will come up with some more, I am sure.