Now that “gamification” is a thing, it’s worth exploring a few ways that games are useful beyond just reward systems.

These are tough times for the arcade. In New York, we recently saw the closing of the Chinatown Fair, the last real arcade in the city.

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We’re big fans of games here at Big Spaceship and in the spirit of fun this holiday season, every member of our staff got their choice of a PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox, Kinect, Move, or for those already stocked with consoles, the video games of their choosing.

Gamification – i.e. the use of gaming techniques employed in non-game scenarios – is more than just the buzzword of the month. Tangible evidence of its existence is popping up everywhere online, from badges and mayorships to virtual currency and competitions that boast real world rewards.

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