If the real world were like FarmVille, I’d be ultra rich!
By: Dennis Yu
A guest post by Dennis Yu.
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I spend hours a day tending my virtual farm.  I’m at level 21, have 51,815 in cash, and am ahead of most of my friends.  I squeeze out every little bit of optimization from my farm, like a maniac. But why work so hard in a video game instead of making real cash in the real world to spend with real friends?
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The answer is simple– because it’s fun.
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How many of you stay at home dads and stay at home moms are guilty of playing video games when you know you have stuff to do?
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Imagine if you were as motivated to do chores as play your favorite video game. You’d actually be looking forward to taking out the trash, going to see the doctor, or whatever it is that you don’t like to do.
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And not only would you enjoy doing it, the further along you went, the more enjoyable it becomes, as you get to higher levels, earn more points, and engage with your friends. Positively addicting.
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Is this really possible? Yes!
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Set up your life like a video game:
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• Give yourself points for doing things that you don’t like– the more unattractive, the most points.
• Have levels you can unlock as you reach higher point levels. With each level, there is some sort of reward– take yourself out for ice cream or whatever is pleasurable. Don’t ever just treat yourself unless you’ve earned it, else the system has no power.
• Allow your friends to play the game, so you can compete against one another for the high score. Even allow gifting, where you can earn points by helping out your friend on his/her chore list.
• Create ribbons for achievements– exercised 10 days in a row, put away a total of $5,000 in savings for my kid’s college fund, got an A in a particular class, anything.
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Now your whole life is tied to the fun of being in a video game and you reap real rewards for having played the game successfully.
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Look at this example of people taking the stairs versus the escalator because it’s fun:
To my knowledge, nobody has built such a comprehensive game, that would allow you to set goal, customize rules, and invite friends to play. The closest I can think of is sparkpeople.com, which a free weight loss site, and then facebook (though they don’t award points for your personal achievements).
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The beauty of such a system is that the points don’t have to cost money.  Just look at Farmville– their virtual currency can’t be redeemed for anything but more virtual prizes in the game– essentially just images. And a lot of people are paying real dollars to buy pixels that live on Facebook. Now how about we turn that around?
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What do you think? What ways can you think of to make your life more fun?
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Great concept, Dennis! Something has to motivate us off our lazy butts. It’s like starring in our own script instead being a empty beer can floating down the stream of life.
Empty Beer can
Great image in my head. I’m afraid that even a game won’t motivate the likes of me!
There is in fact a video game site for chores. It is called Chore Wars, (www.worldofchorecraft.com)! You can invite friends or your family members to join your band of adventurers, make characters, and earn points for the chores accomplished during the day. You collect objects you find, and even accumulate coins as you go. They make it possible to use generic chore adventures or create your own.
Jody, thanks for stopping in and thanks for the comment. I did not know about that game. Thanks for the tip!
Funny post! A lot of relevance, whether or not one applies it to a software model or not. The carrot is always a better motivator in my book. Hmmm. Make that chocolate instead. Or shoes!
.-= BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Blindsided, lopsided: Can we ever see clearly? =-.
Hey biglittlewolf. I think you’re right, whenever there is a positive reward it makes doing anything more worthwhile. The beauty of the virtual model with farmville is that the rewards are just pixels. For some reason we still think it’s great
I do at least. I know, I’m addicted to it too. I shouldn’t, but I am. HA
I am so guilty of being addicted to the games on facebook. I really like the suggestions about making things in real life more fun. I suppose I should get off her and put my laundry away and sweep so I can be done for the day with my stuff. I really enjoyed this post.
.-= Stacie´s last blog ..Magic Marker Monday =-.
HAHAHa, you and me both, Stacie! I take so many of those silly tests that I’m ashamed to post half of them for fear that I’ll be exposed as a giant goof
LOL! Yeah some of the quizzes I have got to wonder about! I don’t publish all of them either. But they are fun and the games are addicting.
.-= Stacie´s last blog ..Swine Flu – Hog Wash =-.
Con una buena motivación somos capaces de hacer cualquier cosa. Es una buena idea el verla vida y los quehaceres diarios como un juego, siempre y cuando uno no pierda la perspectiva.
Juegos adictivos!! quien fue el desgraciado que lo invento!! jejej
Naa, me quedo con el Resident Evil amigos
My house was a pigsty for around a month after i discovered farmville. I’ve finally gotten over the initial addiction and have slowed down enough to regain my normal life. I would probably get just as addicted to a chore game, and still do none of the real ones!
.-= farmvill´s last blog ..farmvill updated Mon Apr 19 2010 4:47 am CDT =-.
This is a pretty funny Idea. And funnily enough, on some levels, I believe that it would be a good recipe for sucess.
Farmville? Are you serious?