How To Make Facebook, FedEx, And Amazon More Fun

techcrunch.com

7 points·thomaspun··7 comments

I predict a future where people, frustrated by the ambiguity, lack of direction, and disconnection from cultural traditions seemingly inherent in modern life, just play games all day.

Somehow the future seems even more dystopian when, instead of actual games that might have some artistry, design, and cultural value behind them, the game they play is The Facebook FedEx Game.

http://armorgames.com/play/2893/achievement-unlocked

This article feels like it was heavily "inspired" by Jesse Schell's talk at DICE 2010:

http://gigaom.com/2010/02/22/video-reality-tv-iphone-the-fut...

Subject to many of the same criticisms, as well: http://www.iftf.org/node/3384

On top of this, has everyone really being "going Gaga for game mechanics" ?

I had no idea the noted sites have had achievements. Upon noting this, I still have no inclination to venture to them.

This is another person who doesn't understand real Facebook users (as opposed to the people who just joined so they could "participate in social networking") at all. A leaderboard ranking your connections is an idiotic idea.

Having more friends generally equates to greater personal satisfaction with Facebook and in real life

This is the case only because the Facebook accounts of real users are actually a reflection of their real-life social networks. Those who are happy and outgoing in real life are likely to have larger networks of friends and acquiantances, which results in more Facebook friends. They do not "friend" random people, nor do they "make" friends on Facebook.

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