Play ‘n’ Function
Background:
My first ides is based on a talk by Amy Jo Kim(Creative Director of Shuffle Brain) “Putting the Fun in Functional – Applying Games Mechanics To Functional Software”
In her talk Kim explains the use of game mechanics in non-game systems and applications. These game machanics are used to make the “User Experinece” more addictive.
bild? -> game mechanics
Game mechanics can shape behaviour of the User. You can use them as a design tool to create players actions.
- conclusion:
There is a coexistence between “Play” and “Function” in one object.
- interesting/idea:
You keep the function / semantics of an object and make it more playful.
Idea:
My idea is to find everyday objects or situations which can modified with game mechanics.
You can extend those objects or situations with game mechanics to create “ad-hoc game situations” with erveryday objects. The user is enabeld to experience objects/situations in a playful way of manner.
some queer and simple examples:
Intention:
Intention is to amplify the semantics of an object / situation. The aim is not to make the object or the action more efficient: You can browse songs in your mp3 player with an efficient interface or you can browse songs in a more playful way via gestures, your movement etc.
You are not making your performance more effective but more fun.
-Through interacting with an object in a playful way of manner the user can explore the meaning of an object/situatiuon in a new way.
-You can master your everyday life in a playful way of manner.
examples of creating awareness with or for everyday objects / situations:
“Audioshaker” by mark Hauenstein
- a good metaphor for browsing captured audio files.
“Living With Things” by Monika Hoinkis
- beautiful and very strong example for modifing objects with minimal interventions
“Öffentliches Ärgernis” by Mandy Meisner
- example for creating intelligent situatons in public spaces with minimal extensions.
Modifing everyday objects/situations with game mechanics:
Ad-hoc gameplay:
Some situattions where people exspecially children create “ad-hoc game situations”:
- kicking a stone in the streets while walking from point a to point b
- hold balance with your chair (to wobble?)
- walking on top of a wall
situations which can be modified:
entering a subway train in a rush our reminds me of playing the game “Musical chairs”.
people trying to catch a free seat as soon as possible.
from wikipedia: “The game starts with any number of players and a number of chairs one fewer than the number of players; the chairs are arranged in a circle (or other closed figure if space is constrained; a double line is sometimes used) facing outward, with the people standing in a circle just outside of that. A non-playing individual plays recorded music or a musical instrument. While the music is playing, the players in the circle walk in unison around the chairs. When the music controller suddenly shuts off the music, everyone must race to sit down in one of the chairs. The player who is left without a chair is eliminated from the game, and one chair is also removed to ensure that there will always be one fewer chair than there are players. The music resumes and the cycle repeats until there is only one player left in the game, who is the winner.”
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finding small games / principles which can be used to extend objects or situations:
tit for tat
Chinese whispers
