The Game of Life
Life: Now With 100% More Quests, Challenges, and Leaderboards
Remember this game? This wholesome-looking family does. Mom appears to be winning and I think Dad is out of the game already…
Today I’m going to write about—wait, hold on, I need to check in real quick. OK, I’m back. So this post is about… actually, my watch says it’s time to stand. One sec. And… where was I? Right! You’re going to love this post, it’s all about—dang, time to hit the exercise bike if I want to keep my streak alive. BRB!
Welcome to my life, now fully gamified.
Gamification — it sounds fun, right? Make the hard stuff in life more entertaining? But somewhere along the line, fun turned into a full-time job. Everything’s a challenge, a badge, or a leaderboard now. Sure, a little competition is great — it pushes us to improve. But when you’re in a constant duel with your friends and yourself, it starts to feel a bit… exhausting.
One of the early examples of gamification in apps was FourSquare, now called Swarm. The idea? Check in wherever you go, and if you check in more than anyone else, you’re the mayor. The app turns errands into a turf war. You even compete with friends for leaderboard supremacy. After years of maniacal check-ins (especially while traveling), I’ve never hit #1. Apparently, I’ve failed at life.
Yep, I’m the mayor of many places… Screenshot from the Swarm app.
Swarm throws you coins, too. You can “spend” them on virtual stickers. Use a sticker on a check-in? Boom—more coins. What are coins for? No idea. But I’ve got ‘em. And friends can heart your check-ins. Is that for validation? Proof of life? Probably both.
Apple took it to a whole new level with the Apple Watch. Ever seen a group of people all suddenly stand up at 10 minutes to the hour? Yep, the watch told them to move. We’re obedient little cyborgs now.
Then there are the rings — Apple’s Move, Exercise, and Stand rings. Close all three every day, and you feel like a superhero. Me? After approximately 3,752 days of wearing an Apple Watch (not that I’m counting), I’ve completed all my rings maybe 500 times. Go ahead, judge me.
And don’t even get me started on the Streaks app. Want to feel guilty about stuff you’re not doing? This app will remind you — gently but persistently. I have two tasks: “Exercise 20 minutes” (I do OK on that), and “Do weights” (which I think I did once).
Driving? Also gamified. My Ford Maverick hybrid gives me a score after every trip. Nothing like a digital pat on the back for squeezing out 65+ mpg on the way home from exercise class.
Even my car insurance is gamified. An app tracks my every drive, rewarding me with a 10.5% discount for safe habits and entering me in monthly sweepstakes. All I need now is dumb luck.
And it doesn’t stop there. I earn rewards for drinking beer (thank you, Untappd), blessings for Bible readings (hello, YouVersion), and digital high-fives for sleeping through the night with my CPAP strapped to my face like an Aliens facehugger.
Even games are gamified! Every Monday, Microsoft Solitaire nudges me to complete 16 games to earn “double XP.” What do I get for all those points? Nothing. But hey, Microsoft — if you’re listening, how about tossing in a free year of Premium Solitaire for us XP hoarders?
So yeah, everything’s a game now — life, driving, praying, even snoring. But maybe that’s OK. If a few digital badges and imaginary points help us move a little more, laugh a little louder, or just remember to show up, then game on. Just don’t be surprised if I check in, stand up, close my rings, read a verse, and log a beer… all before lunch. Achievement unlocked: Modern Life Master.
What are your favorite gamified apps or devices? Let all of us know through the Comments!