Multiplayer Game Design Class - The Multiplayer Classroom: Designing Coursework as a Game - page 75

But what about that candy? That s clearly an extrinsic reward. What does that

mean exactly? I like the clarity of this explanation from the ChangingMinds.org
website.

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Extrinsic Motivation

“ Extrinsic motivation is when I am motivated by external factors, as opposed to the internal drivers

of intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation drives me to do things for tangible rewards or
pressures, rather than for the fun of it.

When I do something, I have to explain why I do it. If I am being rewarded extrinsically for doing it,
then I can explain to myself that I am doing it for the reward. In this way, rewards can decrease
internal motivation as people work to gain the reward rather than because they like doing the work
or believe it is a good thing to do.

In effect, extrinsic motivations can change a pleasurable into work. �

The year 2010 has seen the widespread adoption of the new concept I alluded to
on Level 1: gamification. As I mentioned then, quite by accident I discovered
that I was apparently doing it.

Gamification

Simply put, gamification is the application of game mechanics to non-game activities. Its
underlying idea is to increase engagement. It is invading all types of marketing. The first
Gamification Summit was held in January 2011. It can, and probably should to be successful,
include both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.

As Jesse Schell points out in his talk, we are being bombarded by extrinsic rewards
to modify our behavior from choosing a certain product to making healthier
decisions (see Figure 6.2). Yet, critics rightfully point out that extrinsic rewards are
not always the best form of motivation. By focusing attention on the reward instead
of the action that triggers it, motivation is removed when the reward is removed.
That may be fine for the duration of the So You Want to Be a Millionaire? game the
students played in class. It may not be so fine for the long term.

Midterm Exam
One of the major successes of this version of the MC was the preparation for our
first boss raid (midterm exam). I came up with 60 questions (40 would be used
on the exam), and we had a guild vs. guild PvP session.