Plenary Speaker

TitleExploring the Endgame of Gamification
SpeakerDr. Scott Nicholson
Associate Professor, Syracuse University
Director, Because Play Matters game lab

Abstract
Starting a reward-based gamification through points, levels, and goals is relatively straightforward. A much more difficult challenge is what to do with participants after they have grown weary of the “grind” to get more points. During this talk, Dr. Scott Nicholson, director of the Because Play Matters game lab at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies, will take a look at the endgame of gamification, using examples from MMORPGS for inspiration. Attendees will come away with ideas of things to include in their gamification systems to help players discover “what’s next” after the points are pointless!

Biography
Dr Scott Nicholson is an Associate Professor at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University and the director of the Because Play Matters game lab. He has written research papers on meaningful gamification, games in libraries, online education, and data mining. He is the author of Everyone Plays at the Library: Creating Great Gaming Experiences for All Ages and the designer of two board games - Going, Going, GONE!, and Tulipmania 1637. He is available to consult and speak about gamification, educational and serious game design, and board games. On the side, he works as an entertainer at fairs and festivals doing face painting, games, participatory drumming and other clown-inspired play through Pied Piper Painting. He enjoys Walt Disney World, games of all sorts, travel and other ways to Play!