Punctuated Play: Revealing the Roots of Gamification
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Foxman, Maxwell
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Even at the apex of its hype cycle in the 2010s, game studies scholars and designers derided gamification. This article first explores why gamification inspired such vitriol. It finds the incursion of non-game corporations and entities into the field was a threat to those who fought so ardently to legitimize the profession and promote a more playful or ludic 21st century. The article then delves deeper into the literature of play to redefine what
occurs when a player engages with a gamified app, such as the social media application Foursquare. It rescripts their activity as ‘punctuated play’, or when the competition, conflict, glory, and other aspects of traditional play pierce a moment but do not necessarily define it.
Description
18 pages
Keywords
Foursquare, game design, game studies, gamification, ludology
Citation
Foxman, M. (2020). Punctuated Play: Revealing the Roots of Gamification. Acta Ludologica, 3(2), 54–71.