Gaming matters!

I was fortunate to be able to attend the G+L+S conference in Madison with Keith and Jen. Researchers presented interesting data correlating games with the development (or at least the display) of a wide range of literacies. I was particularly struck by a workshop on creating persuasive games (it's really challenging to do!), research on cheaters and cheating, and a presentation about PMOGs (passively multiplayer online games.) A lot of research is being done on incentive centered design (ICD) in the arena of business and information security at my library school, but it seems to me that a game is a Platonic ideal of an ICD. People have incentives--winning the game or scoring points--to collaborate, share and create information, and follow the rules of the game. So, how do you make learning a game? I'm playing with Justin Hall's PMOG to see what I can do in terms of making the exploration of my library's website more like a game.