Incentive-centered design
Practical Applications (Javier)
WHAT IT IS: This section is about the practical/current applications of incentive-centered design. It will include examples and applications of the technique in existing products/systems. JUSTIFICATION: This section is necessary to give the reader real world examples, so they can get a better understanding of the abstract concept.
- Nike+iPod Sports Kit
- This sports kit from Nike comes with a receiver that attaches to your iPod or iPhone and a transmitter that is placed in the sole of the shoe. The kit is a running measurement kit - it measures the time of the user's workout, the distance ran, the amount of calories burned, speed, etc. The example of user-incentive design in this system is that when users reach milestones in goal-oriented workouts or achieve personal records, there will be pre-recorded audio feedback from famous sports athletes acknowledging the achievement and also congratulating the user. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike%2BiPod
- Ford Hybrid Car
- In the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid sedans, the instrumental panels are designed so that the screen shows the cloudy sky and the grass. When drivers are driving in a fuel-efficient manner, then the green leaves that appear on the panels will multiply accordingly. This goal-oriented display could motivate the driver to motor in a more fuel-efficient manner. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/autos/environment/2008-10-28-Ford-hybrid-fuel-efficiency_N.htm
- Class grading system in University of Indiana
- Inspired by games such as World of Warcraft, professors in the University of Indiana changed their course grading system so that it appears to be like a quest in a video game. Students will start off with 0 experience points, and class requirements such as homework, class attendance, exams, and projects are turned into "quests", "fighting monsters", "crafting", and "joining a guild". Lee Sheldon, a university course coordinator, found that student interest and performance increased after such change in the college coursework grading system. http://elder-geek.com/2010/03/indiana-university-prof-changes-grades-to-quests/
- "XBOX Achievements"
- In XBOX games, by playing a certain way in the game, players can unlock XBOX achievements throughout the game. Each achievement is different and requires/challenges the user to complete a certain task. Other games in different platforms such as the Playstation also use achievements to challenge players, but the XBOX 360 by Microsoft was the first to introduce the idea in 2005. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achievement_(video_gaming)